Surface modification of graphite using surface active agent for 99Mo(VI) recovery from aqueous solutions
摘要
Graphite surface is modified in the present study using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and the resultant material, graphite-CTAB is evaluated as an adsorbent for 99Mo(VI) anions. The surface modification was confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The introduction of CTAB onto the graphite surface resulted in the incorporation of positively charged quaternary ammonium groups (–N+(CH3)3), which significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity by enabling strong interactions with molybdate species. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the optimal conditions for molybdenum adsorption occurred at pH 3. Equilibrium was rapidly attained within one hour, and an adsorbent mass of 0.1 g was found to be optimal. Adsorption efficiency decreased at higher ionic strength of the solution using NaCl. Desorption studies identified Na₂CO₃ as the most effective desorbing agent for recovering molybdenum from graphite-CTAB. Kinetic modeling of the adsorption data best fit the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting chemisorption. Furthermore, equilibrium data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 99Mo(VI) of 18.6 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis revealed the process to be spontaneous, endothermic, and overall favorability of the adsorption process.