Plausible low cost MII/MIII-LDH@AMCD as adsorbent for iron reduction from polluted river water

Abstract

Sorption study of heavy metals, specifically iron, from aqueous solutions and river water was conducted using Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) and functionalized with Aegle Marmelos carbon dots. Four different types of adsorbent were synthesized: ZnAl LDH, ZnAl LDH@AMCD, CaAl LDH, and CaAl LDH@AMCD. The incorporation of carbon dots enhances the sorption efficiency of these LDHs materials. Adsorption experiments for the removal of iron ions was evaluated by the phenanthrolic method, a colorimetric technique known for its sensitivity in detecting trace iron concentrations. Successful incorporation of green carbon dots was confirmed through TEM, PL and TRPL analysis techniques. Results revealed that the addition of carbon dots significantly improved the iron adsorption capacity of both ZnAl and CaAl LDHs, with ZnAl LDH@AMCD showing the highest efficiency. Comparative analysis demonstrated that ZnAl LDH@AMCD showed better sorption performance than their non-modified counterparts due to increased surface area and enhanced interaction sites for metal ions. This study highlights the potential of LDH@CD composites as efficient, low-cost adsorbents for removing iron from water, offering a promising approach for water treatment applications.