Premium
Removal of nickel from aqueous solution using cathodic deposition of nickel hydroxide at a modified electrode
Author(s) -
Liu YaoXing,
Wu XiaoYun,
Yuan DongXing,
Yan JunMei
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.4085
Subject(s) - nickel , cathode , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , electrode , materials science , anode , aqueous solution , electrolyte , electrochemistry , scanning electron microscope , hydroxide , inorganic chemistry , industrial wastewater treatment , wastewater , chemical engineering , nuclear chemistry , metallurgy , chemistry , waste management , composite material , engineering
Abstract Background In the present study, an electrochemical technique was used to remove nickel from aqueous solutions on a laboratory scale using a self‐made Plexiglas cell. Electrodes comprising a stainless steel net coated with single‐walled carbon nanotubes ( SWCNTs @ SSN ) were used as both the anode and the cathode. The effects of various parameters on the percentage of nickel removed were investigated, including the solution pH , applied voltage, electrolyte concentration, and the amount of SWCNTs coated on the electrodes . Results The optimal parameters were found to be pH 10.0, applied voltage 2.5 V, and electrolyte concentration 10 g dm ‐3 . Under optimal conditions, 95.1% of the nickel present in nickel‐contaminated factory wastewater was removed. The mechanism of nickel removal was also investigated. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy ( XPS ) and scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ) analyses showed that the nickel ions were being removed in the form of Ni( OH ) 2 , which was deposited on the cathode. The SWCNTs @ SSN electrodes were regenerated easily . Conclusion The results of the study proved that the method is a potential technique for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy‐metal ions. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry