Removal of mercury from aqueous solutions by magnetic nanocomposite prepared by multi-walled carbon nanotube functionalizedby thiosemicarbazide

Magnetic Multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs/Fe3O4) were synthesized and then weremodified with thiosemicarbazide (TSC) and used forremoval of Hg(II) from aqueous solutions.Functionalization of MWCNT has been carried out byusing oxidation method. By using Fourier transforminfrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy the adsorbent wascharacterized and its successful modification wasexamined. Measurement of mercury was performed byatomic absorption spectrometry through graphite furnacetechnique. The influence of parameters including pH andinitial metal ion concentration, on the ion adsorption onMWCNTs was investigated in order to find the optimumadsorption conditions. The optimum pH for removing Hg2+was found to be 3.0. The maximum adsorption capacity forHg (II) was obtained as 164 mg g−1.

Keywords:

Mercury , Magnetic carbon nanotubes , Functionalization , Thiosemicarbazide , Removal