Removal of Pb(II) Ions by Modified Graphite Carbon Nitride Compounds: Comparison and Optimization
摘要
This study demonstrates the superior performance of sulfur/boron co-doped graphitic carbon nitride (S/B-g-C₃N₄) as a novel adsorbent for the efficient removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents, including pure and B-doped g-C₃N₄ for comparison, were synthesized via thermal polymerization. Characterization by FT-IR, XRD, and SEM confirmed their successful formation. Under optimized conditions (pH 6, adsorbent dose = 0.5 g·L−1, temperature = 298.15 K), the S/B-g-C₃N₄ adsorbent achieved a Pb(II) removal efficiency of 98.68% and an adsorption capacity of 61.72 mg·g−1 from a 100 ppm solution. This performance significantly outperformed the pure and single-doped counterparts, highlighting the synergistic effect of S/B co-doping. The adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm, indicating monolayer chemisorption. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the process was spontaneous and endothermic. The simple, scalable thermal synthesis and excellent adsorption capacity make S/B-g-C₃N₄ a promising candidate for real-world remediation of lead-contaminated industrial wastewater and drinking water sources.