Optimization of sulfate removal from wastewater using magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes by response surface methodology

This paper reports a facile method for removal of sulfate from wastewater by magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNTs). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and MMWCNTs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results of the analysis indicated that MMWCNTs were synthesized successfully. The MMWCNTs can be easily manipulated in a magnetic field for the desired separation, leading to the removal of sulfate from wastewater. Response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design was applied to evaluate the effects of D/C (adsorbent dosage per initial concentration of pollutant (mg adsorben /(mg/l) initial )) and pH on sulfate removal (%). Using RSM methodology, a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained, for removal of sulfate, by multiple regression analysis. The optimum combination for maximum sulfate removal of 93.28% was pH = 5.96 and D/C = 24.35. The experimental data were evaluated by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The adsorption capacity of sulfate in the studied concentration range was 56.94 (mg/g). It was found out that the MMWCNTs could be considered as a promising adsorbent for the removal of sulfate from wastewater.