Abstract:
Chromium (VI) is a highly toxic metal ion found in the priority list of pollutants. In this study,
synthesized Polyacrylamide (PAM) modified diatomite adsorbent was investigated for removal of
Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The functional groups on the adsorbent that incorporated before and
after for adsorption of Cr(VI) were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Batch adsorption studies were employed to assess the effects of various parameters such as contact
time, pH, adsorbent dose and initial Cr(VI) concentration on adsorption of Cr(VI) by PAM
modified diatomite. It was found that the removal efficiency of chromium (VI) increased with
increased contact time and adsorbent dose and decreased with increased in pH and initial Cr(VI)
concentration. The adsorption process was optimal at pH 2. The adsorption capacity of the
adsorbent was found to be 2.0 mg/g at optimum conditions using the Langmuir adsorption
isotherm model prediction. The isotherm equilibrium data was well fitted to Langmuir isotherm
model than Ferudlich isotherm model with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. It is found that, PAM
modified diatomite is a promising adsorbent to reduce Cr(VI) ions in water/ wastewater media.
