Removal of Cu from aqueous solutions by synthetic hydroxyapatite: EXAFS investigation

The sorption of aqueous Cu on synthetic hydroxyapatite has been investigated by means of the results of a combined structural simulation and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. The removal of Cu was studied in batch experiments at 25 ± 2 °C. The sorption of Cu follows Langmuir behaviour and was attributed to a two-step mechanism involving surface complexation and ion exchange with Ca resulting in the formation of a copper-containing hydroxyapatite. EXAFS results suggest that the heavy metal is present in the Cu2+ form. The structural experimental and theoretical analysis shows that Cu is bond to about four O atoms at a distance of about 1.95 Å. In all the studied cases the immobilization site of Cu is the same. The fixation of Cu occurs in the surface sites of hydroxyapatite whereas the sorption in the Ca sites in the inner part of the structure is unlikely.