Adsorption studies of Cu2Â +-Hal nanocomposites for the removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol

Copper (II)-halloysite nanotube (Cu2+-Hal) nanocomposites with improved specific surface area were prepared by incorporating copper sulphate (CuSO4) solution onto the halloysite nanotube (Hal) powder. Various wt.% of CuSO4 in the nanocomposites (4.9 wt.% Cu2+-Hal and 9.0 wt.% Cu2+-Hal) were prepared. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) as well as BET analyses. The pristine Hal as well as the prepared nanocomposites were then applied as adsorbents for the removal of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) in water at ambient temperature (30 °C). The effect of contact time, adsorbent dose and pH were investigated. The nanocomposites show higher adsorption capacity compared to the pristine Hal and was attributed to the enhancement in specific surface area and pore volume in the Cu2 +-Hal nanocomposites which provide more adsorption sites as compared to the pristine Hal. Pseudo-second order kinetic was found to be the most appropriate kinetic model in describing the adsorption process of these adsorbents.