Adsorption kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic investigations of Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions removal by poly(azomethinethioamide) resin with pendent chlorobenzylidine ring

This paper reports the application of poly(azomethinethioamide) (PATA) resin having the pendent chlorobenzylidine ring for the removal of heavy metal ions such as Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions from the aqueous solutions by adsorption technology. Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic models for Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions adsorption were applied by considering the effect of contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature data, respectively. The adsorption influencing parameters for the maximum removal of metal ions were optimized. Adsorption kinetic results followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model based on the correlation coefficient (R²) values and closed approach of experimental and calculated equilibrium adsorption capacity values. The removal mechanism of metal ions by PATA was explained with the Boyd kinetic model, Weber and Morris intraparticle diffusion model and Shrinking Core Model (SCM). Adsorption equilibrium results followed the Freundlich model based on the R² values and error functions. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of PATA for Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions removal were found to be 105.4 mg/g and 97.3 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic study showed the adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature.