The present work involves the synthesis, characterization and sorption behavior of Fe–Al–MC nanocomposite for the removal of Pb (II) ions from industrial waste water. The sorbent was synthesized by impregnation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were applied to study the surface structure, compositions and morphology of the materials. Fourier transform infrared technique was used to analyze the effect of surface properties on the adsorption behavior of Pb(II) ions. The optimum effects of the parameters on the adsorption of Pb (II) ions were determined to be, pH = 6, dose = 2 g, contact time = 24 h h and agitation speed = 150 rpm and initial Pb (II) ions 10 ppm. Experimentally, the adsorbed amounts of lead ion tend to decrease with increase in pH. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models fit the equilibrium data well on the adsorbent. Kinetic data correlated well with the pseudo second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies resulted in negative ΔG value indicating the spontaneity of the sorption process. The Fe–Al–MC nanocomposite sorbent showed a sorption capacity of 40.00 mg g−1 at pH 6. Therefore, this adsorbent with large sorption capacity and efficiency is a promising adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions from the wastewater.

Due to their remarkable properties, cellulose nanomaterials are emerging materials for wastewater (WW) treatment. In this study, both pristine cellulose nanomaterial (CNM) and sodium periodate modified cellulose nanomaterial (NaIO4-CNM) were prepared from the stem of the Erythrina brucei plant for the removal of Pb(II) ions from WW. As-prepared CNMs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis with differential thermogravimetry (TGA-DTG) analysis. The as-prepared and characterized CNMs were tested for the removal of Pb(II) ions from secondary run-off wastewater (SERWW). Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were certainly fixed to a maximum Pb(II) ions uptake capability (Qmax) of 91.74 and 384.62 mg g−1 by CNM and NaIO4-CNM adsorbents, respectively. The pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics model was well fitted to the uptake process. Results revealed that the percentage removal (%R) of Pb(II) ions was decreased by the presence of nitrogen and organic matter, but not affected by the presence of phosphorous in SERWW. Due to its high efficiency, NaIO4-CNM was selected for the regeneration study. The regeneration study was conducted after desorption of Pb(II) ions from the adsorbent by the addition of HCl, and the regenerated sorbent was reused as an adsorbent for at least 13 successive cycles. The results indicated excellent recycling capabilities, and the adsorbent was used as adsorbing material for the removal of Pb(II) ions from SERWW after 13 successive cycles without significant efficient loss.