Adsorptive properties of Mn-substituted goethite particles for aqueous solutions of lead, copper, and zinc

Abstract

The substitution of Mn for Fe in the goethite (α-FeOOH) framework and the excess addition of Mn beyond the solid-solubility limit, approximately 1.5 mol%Mn, contribute to the change of adsorptive properties for metal ions, PbII, CuII, and ZnII, in aqueous solutions. Removal of PbII from the metal solution at pH 4 was enhanced by the excess addition of Mn in the synthetic process for Mn-substituted goethite. This enhancement was caused by the formation of a new composite adsorbent, α-(Fe,Mn)OOH particles with (Fe,Mn)3O4 precipitates on their surfaces.