Sorptive removal of cadmium using the attapulgite modified by the combination of calcination and iron.

Sorptive removal of cadmium (Cd) from the aqueous solutions using the easily available natural materials is an attractive method. However, the adsorption efficiencies of these materials, such as clays, are typically low. Besides, they are generally in relatively low stability and renewability, which restrict their application. Thus, modification of these materials to enhance their performance on Cd removal has gained growing attentions. Herein, the integration of calcination and ferric chloride (FeCl3) was used to modify a typical clay, i.e., attapulgite, to increase the adsorption sites, and thus to develop a robust adsorbent for Cd. Under the optimum conditions for attapulgite modification (i.e., the mass ratio of FeCl3 to attapulgite was 1:2, calcination temperature was 350 °C, and calcination time was 1.5 h) and Cd adsorption (i.e., initial pH of 6.0, adsorption temperature of 25 °C, and adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g/L), the maximum adsorption capacity of the modified attapulgite toward Cd was 149.9 mg/g. Mechanisms of surface complexation and electrostatic attraction were involved in the efficient removal of Cd. The adsorption of Cd increased with pH due to the increased electrostatic attraction. Metal cations inhibited the Cd adsorption through competing with the adsorption sites. The changes of Gibbs-free energy during the adsorption of Cd were lower than zero and decreased with temperature, suggesting the process was spontaneous and endothermic. The removal efficiency of Cd after 5 times of recycle maintained at 82% of that of the raw modified attapulgite demonstrated the stability of the adsorbent. These results suggested that the modified attapulgite is robust for Cd removal and is promising for land application.