High Efficiency Pb(II) Removal via Triethanolamine Modified Mg–Al Layered Double Hydroxide

ABSTRACT

Adsorption is a simple and efficient technique for removing Pb ²⁺ from aqueous solution. In the present study, sorption of Pb ²⁺ ions was investigated on triethanolamine (TEA) modified Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) sorbent. The sorbent was prepared via the co‐precipitation technique. The Mg‐Al‐TEA LDH demonstrated excellent adsorption capacity for Pb ²⁺ ions ( q _max  = 625 mg g ⁻¹ ). The influence of process variables such as pH, sorbent dosage, concentration of Pb ²⁺ , temperature, and interfering ions on sorption capacity was determined. Pb ²⁺ removal by Mg–Al–TEA LDH could be best described by pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that the uptake of Pb ²⁺ on Mg–Al–TEA LDH was endothermic and feasible. The mechanism operating for the removal of Pb ²⁺ ions was found to be complexation and precipitation. Furthermore, the sorbent retained high adsorption performance after five consecutive cycles, indicating good recyclability and stability. Indeed, Mg‐Al‐TEA LDH is found to be a promising candidate for the remediation of water contaminated with Pb ²⁺ ions.