Removal of Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium and Iron) from Low-Grade Nanoscale Zinc Oxide Using Ammonium Carbonate Solution as a Leaching Agent

Abstract

This study investigated the purification and refining method for producing a nanometer size zinc oxide (ZnO) from the low-grade ZnO commercial powder using low cost ammonium carbonate solution as a leaching agent. The atomic absorption spectroscopy results show that the concentration of iron, lead and cadmium can be dramatically reduced by ammonium carbonate leaching and washing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show that structural properties can improve the degree of the preferential c-axis orientation, grain size, and surface morphology of ZnO by solvent evaporation. All physical and chemical results are of particular significance for the preparation of purified ZnO for device fabrication in photovoltaic industry, functional ZnO coatings, and polymer nanocomposite applications.