Removal of Pb2+metal ion using electrolysis system of Fe(s)/NaCl(aq), Pb(NO3)2(aq)//H2O(aq)/C(s)

Abstract

Lead2+ is very dangerous heavy metal for the environment due to its toxicity and it requires a serious handling. A more efficient and effective method for handling is electrolysis using electrocoagulation. This method provides an electric current to the system, a redox reaction occurs followed by a coogulation process, which then absorbs Pb2 + metal ions to form flocculants. the study covered electrocoagulation of artificial waste containing Pb2+, characterization of functional groups and compounds contained in flocculants. The two compartment reactor was used. It consisted of an anode (iron) and cathode (graphite) parts separated by a salt bridge. The anode was filled with 0.1M NaCl electrolyte solution, artificial waste of Pb(NO3)2. The cathode contained H2O. Potential was set in the range of 1-6 V. Then the filtrate at the anode was analyzed by AAS and the precipitate was characterized by FTIR and SEM EDX. The results showed Pb metal waste was removed 43.2% by electrocoagulation method at a maximum voltage of 6 V. FITR result shows Fe-O in the wave numbers of 1117 and 111.99 cm-1 and Pb-O in the wave numbers of 482.22 and 474.82 cm-1. SEM analysis shows that the morphology has slightly changes. Elements contained by EDX analysis of the floc are iron, lead, oxygen, silica and sodium.