Adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) on titanate nanomaterials synthesized via hydrothermal method under different NaOH concentrations: Role of sodium content

- TNMs with titanate phase showed large adsorption capacity for Cd(II) and Cu(II).
- NaOH concentration affected morphology, crystal phase and composition of TNMs.
- Ion-exchange between metal ion and Na+ was the main adsorption mechanism.
- Na content of TNMs showed a good correlation with the adsorption capacity.
- Na content was responsible for adsorption capacity of TNMs but not surface area.