removal of Co(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and U(VI) from liquid waste using alumina / zirconia composite materials

Two types of alumina/zirconia composite systems using Mg O and Y2O3 stabilizers were prepared applying the polymeric sol-gel route method using metal chloride precursors. The prepared ceramic powders were characterized using various techniques: x-ray florescence technique (XRF), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential thermal analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis (DTA-TG), x-ray diffraction technique (XRD), surface area using the BET-method, heating microscope and finally vacuum method. The prepared composite materials were tested for removal Co(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and U(VI) ions from liquid waste. Factors affecting the sorption behaviour e.g. particle size, contact time, temperature, initial concentration of the solute, mass of adsorbent and competing ions were studied by applying batch technique. Temperature effect shows that the adsorption process is endothermic. The adsorption process could be described by langmuir and freundlich isotherms. It follows lewis acid-base principle, in which the ceramic materials represent the lewis base adsorption sites. The adsorption capacity of the prepared composite materials for removal of Co(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and U(VI) ions from liquid waste was measured and found be 209, 189, 33 and 67 mg/g respectively. As a result, feasibility of specific ceramic materials suitable to remove the fore mentioned ions was addressed