Adsorption of cadmium by Na and Fe modified zeolitic tuffs and carbonaceous material from pyrolyzed sewage sludge

In the present study the process of adsorption of cadmium from aqueous solutions using Na-zeolitic tuff, Fe-zeolitic tuff and carbonaceous material from pyrolyzed sewage sludge treated with HCl was investigated. The cadmium removal efficiency was studied as a function of contact time, adsorbate concentration, pH and adsorbent dose. The results showed that removal of cadmium was best described by the Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic experimental results were best described by the pseudo-first order model. The results indicate that the adsorption mechanism is physical and chemical sorption on heterogeneous materials. The maximum retention of cadmium was at pH around 6.0 for the materials. In kinetic studies, the Na and Fe modified zeolitic tuffs showed similar sorption capacities for cadmium and they were higher than the capacity found for carbonaceous material.

► Cadmium sorption by Na and Fe modified zeolitic tuff and a carbonaceous material was determined.
► Both materials can be used efficiently for cadmium sorption from aqueous solution.
► Both materials can be used as adsorbents for organic and inorganic pollutants.