Abstract
Heavy metals are becoming a huge problem in the environment and lead is one of them. Lead is disposed into water systems from huge industries such as paint industry, mining, and electroplating. A high concentration of lead in water can cause serious health problems such as respiratory problems, liver damage and cancer. Different methods have been investigated and adsorption is one of the common and most preferred methods due to its advantages. In this study, Coal fly ash modified with MnO2 using a hydrothermal method to improve adsorption capacity was applied in the adsorption of Pb2+ ions in aqueous solutions. The adsorbent (MnO2- CFA) was then characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer Emmett- Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Spectroscopy- Energy-dispersive X-ray SEM-EDS and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The modification of CFA with MnO2 was confirmed by FTIR. From FTIR, a broad peak was observed at 3450 cm-1 to show that there was a OH group present and other peaks had a high intensity to show that there was interaction occurring. BET results also showed that there was an increase in surface area. The CFA had a surface area of 5.9231 m2/g and MnO2-CFA has a surface area of 18.4196 m2/g...
M.Sc. (Nanoscience)