Glass Waste / Activated Carbon Composite Prepared by Chemical Activation for Suitable Use in Wastewater Treatment from Heavy Metals

Composite for treatment of Cd2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ from polluted water was synthesized by chemical activation of waste glass powder (TGP) and activated carbon (AC) using acetic acid, HCl and NaOH. Different AC to TGP ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 w/w, respectively) were used for the preparation of the composite C(AC/TGP) The composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and BET surface measures. The effect of various variables (solution temperature, amount of adsorbent, initial metal concentration, contact time and pH of the solution) on metal adsorption was investigated. The results revealed that the composite C(AC/ TGP)3 with the AC/ TGP ratio (2:1 w/w) was more effective in removing heavy metals than the others. The adsorption efficiency of the metal adsorption increased with the increasing contact time, pH, and adsorbent dosage. Maximum adsorption of the metals was achieved at contact time 30 min, adsorbent dose 1.5 g and pH 7. Adsorption isotherms (Tempkin, Langmuir, D-R, and Freundlich) fitted well to describe the adsorption of the studied metals by composite C(AC/ TGP)3. The kinetic of heavy metal adsorption follows a pseudo-second order pattern. Applying the optimum adsorption parameters of the prepared composite to well water results in 99-100% elimination of the studied heavy metals.