The presence of arsenic (As) in drinking water is of serious concern due to its negative impact on human health. This work reports on the kinetics of nanoscale zero-valent iron (Fe0) supported by activated carbon (NZVI/AC) for the removal of As (V) species from aqueous solutions. To better understand the factors affecting this process, we investigated the effects of various experimental parameters including initial As (V) concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, temperature, and coexisting ions on the adsorption kinetics using a batch-adsorption method. The optimum conditions for As (V) removal by NZVI/AC were found to be: 318 K, pH 3.5, an adsorbent dosage of 1.5 g/L, and an equilibrium time of 72 h. A greater mass of NZVI/AC, lower concentration of As (V) and lower pH positively promoted adsorption kinetics. The presence of phosphate (PO43-) and silicate (SiO42-) markedly inhibited As (V) removal kinetics. However, in the presence of 4.5 g/L NZVI/AC, ≥99.9% of As (V) was removed from raw groundwater.
Keywords: adsorption kinetics; arsenate (As(V)); intra-particle diffusion; nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on activated carbon (NZVI/AC).