Abstract:
Al2O3/carbon (Al2O3/C) composites obtained from the alkaline wastewater of oil refinery and acid
wastewater of aluminum anodizing factory have been studied with the principle of “using waste to treat
waste”. The process includes these steps: (1) acid-alkali neutralization, (2) evaporation, (3) calcination,
(4) washing and drying. The Al2O3/C composites prepared by calcinating the precursors under Ar atmosphere
are used as high-capacity adsorbents for removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions.
For Pb(II), the adsorptive behavior satisfies the Langmuir assumptions and the maximum adsorption
capacity reaches to 709.2 mg g 1. For Cd (II), the adsorptive behavior satisfies the Freundlich assumptions
and the equilibrium adsorption capacity is up to 1299.4 mg g 1. For single adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II),
the adsorption kinetics follows Pseudo-second-order model well. This route shows a possible way of
reducing emissions to the environment, recovering resource as a valuable material, and providing a novel
strategy for wastewater treatment.
