H. TAVAKOLI - Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Nour Branch Nour, Iran
H. SEPEHRLAN - NFCRS, Nuclear science and technology Research Institute, AEOI Tehran, Iran
R. CHERAGHALI - Chemistry Department, Islamic Azad University, Saveh Branch Saveh, Iran

In this study, a new nanocomposite adsorbent was synthesized by encapsulation of the nanoporous MCM-41 in the biopolymeric matrix of calcium alginate and its adsorption behavior for some of toxic metals (Pb, Zn, Hg, Co, Ni) was investigated. The nanocomposite alginate-MCM-41 (NCAMCM-41) was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm data. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, initial concentration and adsorption kinetics were studied by batch method. The results show that the NCA-MCM-41 has high affinity for adsorption of lead and cobalt compared with alginate. Freundlich and Longmuir models were used for mathematics description of the adsorption isotherm.

MCM-41; Nanocomposite; Sodium alginate. Heavy metal ion; Adsorption