Facile generation of rod‐like PbCl₂ crystals from Pb(II) aqueous solutions induced by Aliquat 336 at room temperature

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lead is one of the frequent contaminants of industrial wastewater. This work presents a novel approach for the removal of lead from aqueous solutions through generation of rod-like PbCl 2 crystals induced by Aliquat 336 at room temperature.RESULTS: Regular rod-like PbCl 2 crystals formation was rapid and the reaction could be described by a second-order kinetic model very well. PbCl 2 crystals were obtained when Pb(II) concentration was more than 15 g L -1 , but the maximum PbCl 2 production was achieved at 60 g L -1 for the solution/Aliquat ratio of 5. Increase of Aliquat 336 volume could increase PbCl 2 production, but an optimal volume existed for different Pb(II) solutions. The formation of rod-like PbCl 2 was strongly dependent on pH, but the yield of crystals was uncorrelated with pH. The presence of ethanol led to high yields of PbCl 2 , but the crystal size became smaller. CONCLUSIONS:The results indicate that PbCl 2 crystals form at the interface of the organic and aqueous phases, and the reaction rate is proportional to the Pb(II) in aqueous phase and Clin Aliquat 336. H + promotes the orientated PbCl 2 growth with a rod-like shape. The high yield of PbCl 2 crystals with ethanol is due to the increases of interface area. Aliquat 336 can be used as an effective PbCl 2 crystals inducer for the removal of lead from wastewaters.