Use of electrophoresis technique to study removal of toxic metal ions from waste water by adsorption on mineral surface

Abstract

Electrophoresis technique is used to investigate the sorption possibility of toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions on clay minerals. Removal of heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel, lead and cadmium from waste water was investigated. Electrophoresis tests were performed as a function of pH for different heavy metal cations to identify the mode and extent of interactions of adsorption in the system. The adsorption isotherms and pH effect indicate that adsorption of metal ions increase in the order of Co< Ni < Cd < Pb. © 2011 WIT Press.