A Study On the Zn(II) Separation Efficiency of Chemically Synthesized Hydroxyapatite (HAp) Particles

Abstract

In this study, hydroxyapatite particles (HAp) were chemically synthesized by using coprecipitation method to determine their capabilities on the sorption of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions. HAp particles were chosen because of their low cost for production, high stability, easy to use, and effective sorption power. In order to determine the operation conditions of the adsorption system to be installed when this adsorbent is desired to be used in field applications, parameters such as system pH, initial Zn(II) concentration and adsorbent concentrations have been optimized. Properties and functional structure of the adsorbent materials were characterized by using SEM, FTIR, and EDX analyzes. The kinetic behavior of Zn(II) adsorption with HAp was consistent with the pseudo second order kinetic model. Additionally, the equilibrium states of the adsorption processes were studied by using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Scatchard and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. The maximum sorption capacity HAp was obtained as 500 mg/g, and best removal value of 91% were determined at pH of 6.0, optimum adsorbent concentration of 3.75 g/L, in 25 mg/L Zn(II) concentration and optimum mixing time of 45 min. This study showed that the HAp can be considered an effective adsorbent on the Zn(II) removal from wastewater.