Removal of Hg(II) Ions from Aqueous Environment with the Use of Modified LUS-1 as New Nanostructured Adsorbent

A novel sorbent was developed for removal of mercury from water and characterized successfully. Response surface methodology was used for designing a model and optimization of the variable and hence, removal condition to obtain the maximum removal of mercury through batch process, i.e., minimum sorbent dose for maximum removal. The predicted optimum condition was validated experimentally. Three main factors including pH value of the solution, contact time, and sorbent dose were considered as variables of the models. Furthermore, combined effects of the factors were examined on the removal of the target species. The optimum values were obtained as 4.5, 25 min, and 55 mg L−1 for pH value, contact time, and sorbent dose, respectively. All experiments were carried out on the basis of statistical designs to predict the predictive regression model. Maximum adsorption was obtained as 113.64 mg g−1 through Langmuir model. Moreover, reusability and real sample test were performed and the results demonstrated high efficiency of the adsorbent in both experiments.