Ternary layered double hydroxide/3-amino1H-1,2,4-triazole for high-efficiency removal of copper metal ions. The experimental, possible mechanism, sustainable use of waste, and safety study

Research Abstract

The terrible rise of heavy metal pollution in the environment is considered a serious threat to the terrestrial and aquatic environment. So, the development of highly cost-effective, highly operation-convenient, and recyclable adsorbents was a must. In our study, we utilized the ternary layered double hydroxide (LDH) as an efficient adsorbent. Also, we enhanced the removal efficiency of the synthesized ternary LDH via loading 3-amino1H1,2,4-triazole (Tz) using the co-precipitation method. The synthesized adsorbents, characterization before and after the adsorption processes were established using different techniques. The differences between the two adsorbents were investigated in terms of factors affecting the adsorption process, like pH, the dose of adsorbent, temperature, concentration and time. The adsorption isotherm was investigated at pH 5 with a high regression coefficient (R2 ) of 0.98, showing a maximum adsorption capacity of 118.45 mg/g for (Cu2+ metal ions) using MgZn-Fe LDH as adsorbent, whereas the investigation using the modified LDH (Mg-Zn-Fe LDH/Tz) with high R2 of 0.99 showing maximum adsorption capacity of 185.30 mg/g. Kinetic studies were estimated. LDH/Tz/Cu2+ was recycled for oxytetracycline (OTC) removal. The results showed a high adsorption capacity (134.60 mg/g). The safety and cytotoxicity of the Mg-Zn-Fe LDH and the modified one were investigated, and the results showed that decreasing the cell viability with increasing the concentration. In addition, the removal efficiency reached up to 94% and 97.5% when applying LDH and LDH/Tz, respectively, for removal of Cu2+ metal ions from simulated realistic industrial wastewater, achieving good adsorption performance and great potential for removing Cu2+ metal ions from the wastewater. Thus, ensuring the safe discharge of the treated wastewater.

Research Keywords

Cu2+metal ions, Mg-Zn-Fe LDH, LDH/Tz Adsorption Isothermal, Kinetic models, OTC, Cytotoxicity