Physical Characterization of Prepared and Spent CFA/PFA/RHA Sorbents in Removing Heavy Metals and Dyes

High concentration of heavy metals and dyes creates health and environmental problems. Different types of treatment have been applied to remove these pollutants. In this study, physical characterization of CFA/PFA/RHA sorbent has been investigated to obtain a better understanding of adsorption process in removing heavy metals and dye. The sorbents from Coal Fly Ash (CFA), Palm oil Fuel Ash (PFA) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) were prepared using water hydration method, sol-gel method and activation by NaOH method. The prepared sorbents were used to remove single components of zinc (Zn2+), nickel (Ni2+), iron (Fe2+) and brilliant green dye from synthetic wastewater. The CFA/PFA/RHA sorbent prepared from sol-gel method showed high adsorption efficiency. From the particle size distribution analysis it was shown that the sorbents have a variation as a result of the reaction during the preparation of sorbent and treatment processes. Higher BET specific surface area was obtained for sorbent prepared from water hydration method. The surface morphology of the sorbents revealed the structure of CFA/PFA/RHA sorbent before and after the adsorption processes. This study shows that physical characteristics of CFA/PFA/RHA sorbent affecting the adsorption of heavy metals and dye.