skip to main content

The Modification of Coal Fly Ash Adsorbent Using Dithizone Immobilization for Cd(II) Ions Removal

1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Kentingan, Surakarta, 57126, Indonesia

2Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Sekip Utara, P.O.Bls. 21, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia

Received: 24 Feb 2025; Revised: 20 May 2025; Accepted: 23 May 2025; Published: 31 May 2025.
Open Access Copyright 2025 Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

Citation Format:
Cover Image
Abstract
The adsorption of Cd(II) ions onto an adsorbent of dithizone-immobilized coal fly ash (DCFA) was done using batch experiments. In this study, coal fly ash was initially activated using hydrochloric acid, and then its surface was modified by dithizone. The immobilization of activated coal fly ash (ACFA) with dithizone has been carried out to increase the adsorption capacity as the adsorbent of Cd(II) ions. The synthesized adsorbents (DCFA and ACFA) were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TGA-DTA, adsorption-desorption N2 (BET), and SEM to confirm the successful immobilization of dithizone on the activated coal fly ash. The adsorption parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration of Cd(II) ions on the adsorption efficiency, were optimized. Optimal adsorption was achieved at pH 7, an adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g, a contact time of 75 minutes, and an initial Cd(II) concentration of 50 mg L-1. The results showed that the adsorption kinetics were found to follow a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and their adsorption isotherms were best described by the Langmuir model. Kinetics and adsorption isotherm studies suggested that the capacity, equilibrium constant, and energy of the DCFA in adsorbing Cd(II) ions are improved compared to those of non-immobilized ACFA. A sequential desorption study using different solvents of H2O, KNO3, HONH2HCl, and Na2EDTA revealed that binding Cd(II) ions to the adsorbents primarily involves chemisorption. The type of interaction shifts significantly from being predominantly electrostatic or ion-exchange in ACFA to primarily involving chelate complexation in DCFA.
Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: adsorption; coal fly ash; immobilization; dithizone; cadmium

Article Metrics:

  1. M. Salmani G. K., G. H. Rounaghi, M. Chamsaz, A selective and sensitive optode for determination of Hg2+ ion based on covalent immobilization of thiazole yellow on triacetyl cellulose films, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 256, (2018), 968-975 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.10.038
  2. Sasireka Senniappan, Shanmughaprabha Palanisamy, Sabarathinam Shanmugam, Selvakumari Gobalsamy, Adsorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solution by Cassia fistula seed carbon: Kinetics, equilibrium, and desorption studies, Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 36, 1, (2017), 138-146 https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.12466
  3. Sulieman Ibraheem Shelash Al-Hawary, Azhar Kamel, Sherzod Shukhratovich Abdullaev, A. K. Kareem, Khalid A. Alkhuzai, Rosario Mireya Romero-Parra, Alireza Hossein Amini, Taif Alawsi, Munther Abosaooda, Mohsen Dejaverdi, Optimization of ultrasound-assisted removal of crystal violet dye, Cu(II), and Cd(II) ions by magnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles using central composite design, Alexandria Engineering Journal, 74, (2023), 737-749 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2023.05.066
  4. Maryam Ebrahimi, Neda Khalili, Sepideh Razi, Mahsa Keshavarz-Fathi, Nastaran Khalili, Nima Rezaei, Effects of lead and cadmium on the immune system and cancer progression, Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 18, 1, (2020), 335-343 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-020-00455-2
  5. World Health Organization, Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda, 4th ed., 2021,
  6. Tajudeen A. Oyehan, Tahar Laoui, Bassam Tawabini, Faheemuddin Patel, Fatai A. Olabemiwo, Muataz A. Atieh, Enhancing the adsorptive capacity of carbon nanofibers by impregnation with ferric oxide for the removal of cadmium from aqueous solution, Journal of Water Process Engineering, 42, (2021), 102130 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102130
  7. Tawfik A. Saleh, Mujahid Mustaqeem, Mazen Khaled, Water treatment technologies in removing heavy metal ions from wastewater: A review, Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 17, (2022), 100617 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2021.100617
  8. B. S. Thaçi, S. T. Gashi, N. M. Daci, F. I. Podvorica, F. Sopaj, A versatile study of single and binary removals of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions using pine cone as biosorbent, Desalination and Water Treatment, 319, (2024), 100465 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100465
  9. Bashkim S. Thaçi, Salih T. Gashi, Reverse Osmosis Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater Effluents Using Biowaste Materials Pretreatment, Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 28, 1, (2019), 337-341 https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/81268
  10. B. Senthil Rathi, P. Senthil Kumar, Application of adsorption process for effective removal of emerging contaminants from water and wastewater, Environmental Pollution, 280, (2021), 116995 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116995
  11. Z. T. Yao, X. S. Ji, P. K. Sarker, J. H. Tang, L. Q. Ge, M. S. Xia, Y. Q. Xi, A comprehensive review on the applications of coal fly ash, Earth-Science Reviews, 141, (2015), 105-121 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.11.016
  12. Yi Chen, Yingjie Fan, Yu Huang, Xiaoling Liao, Wenfeng Xu, Tao Zhang, A comprehensive review of toxicity of coal fly ash and its leachate in the ecosystem, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 269, (2024), 115905 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115905
  13. Seham S. Alterary, Narguess H. Marei, Fly ash properties, characterization, and applications: A review, Journal of King Saud University - Science, 33, 6, (2021), 101536 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2021.101536
  14. Miaomiao Zhang, Yanpeng Mao, Wenlong Wang, Shanxiu Yang, Zhanlong Song, Xiqiang Zhao, Coal fly ash/CoFe2O4 composites: a magnetic adsorbent for the removal of malachite green from aqueous solution, RSC Advances, 6, 96, (2016), 93564-93574 https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra08939a
  15. Zawar Hussain, Na Chang, Jingqiu Sun, Simeng Xiang, Tehreem Ayaz, Hao Zhang, Haitao Wang, Modification of coal fly ash and its use as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of directive, acid and reactive dyes, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 422, (2022), 126778 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126778
  16. Mudasir Mudasir, Karelius Karelius, Nurul Hidayat Aprilita, Endang Tri Wahyuni, Adsorption of mercury(II) on dithizone-immobilized natural zeolite, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 4, 2, (2016), 1839-1849 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2016.03.016
  17. Dina Fitriana, Mudasir Mudasir, Dwi Siswanta, Adsorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solutions on dithizone-immobilized coal fly ash, Key Engineering Materials, 840, (2020), 57-63 https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.840.57
  18. Thuy Chinh Nguyen, Trang Do Mai Tran, Van Bay Dao, Quoc-Trung Vu, Trinh Duy Nguyen, Hoang Thai, Using Modified Fly Ash for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution, Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 1, (2020), 8428473 https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8428473
  19. Laura Bulgariu, Bulgariu Dumitru, Ioan and Sârghie, Spectrophotometric Determination of Cadmium(II) Using p,p′‐Dinitro‐SYM‐Diphenylcarbazid in Aqueous Solutions, Analytical Letters, 38, 14, (2005), 2365-2375 https://doi.org/10.1080/00032710500316597
  20. Zygmunt Marczenko, Separation and Spectrophotometric Determination of Elements, 2th ed., E. Horwood, 1986,
  21. G. J. Chamberlain Leslie Charles Thomas, Colorimetric Chemical Analytical Methods, Tintometer, Salisbury, England, 1980,
  22. Mudasir Mudasir, Rangga Aji Baskara, Adhitasari Suratman, Kurnia Sri Yunita, Rini Perdana, Wika Puspitasari, Simultaneous Adsorption of Zn(II) and Hg(II) Ions on Selective Adsorbent of Dithizone-Immobilized Bentonite in the Presence of Mg(II) Ion, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 8, 4, (2020), 104002 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.104002
  23. Bonusa Nabila Huda, Endang Tri Wahyuni, Mudasir Mudasir, Simultaneous adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) in the presence of Mg(II) ion using eco-friendly immobilized dithizone on coal bottom ash, South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 45, (2023), 315-327 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajce.2023.06.007
  24. Shaobo Shen, Tonglin Pan, Xinqiang Liu, Lei Yuan, Yongjian Zhang, Jinchao Wang, Zhanchen Guo, Adsorption of Pd(II) complexes from chloride solutions obtained by leaching chlorinated spent automotive catalysts on ion exchange resin Diaion WA21J, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 345, 1, (2010), 12-18 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2010.01.049
  25. Roza Linda, Abdullah Abdullah, Afrianto Daud, Lisa Aprilia Indriyani, Henny Purwaningsih, Mohamad Rafi, Lee Wah Lim, Optimization of Cadmium Removal Using Tetraethylene Glycol-Modified Silica-Based Adsorbent via Response Surface Methodology, Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi, 27, 3, (2024), 128-136 https://doi.org/10.14710/jksa.27.3.128-136
  26. Gurunanthanan Vijayakumar, Kapila Bandara Wijayaratne, Chamanei Sandamali Perera, Enhanced Mercury Removal from Water Using Fe3O4/MgO Composite Adsorbent, Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 236, 7, (2025), 444 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08088-7
  27. P. Thamarai, V. C. Deivayanai, Pavithra Swaminaathan, S. Karishma, Saravanan A, A. S. Vickram, P. R. Yaashikaa, Experimental investigation of Cd (II) ion adsorption on surface-modified mixed seaweed Biosorbent: A study on analytical interpretation and thermodynamics, Environmental Research, 260, (2024), 119670 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119670
  28. Despina A. Gkika, Athanasia K. Tolkou, Ioannis A. Katsoyiannis, George Z. Kyzas, The adsorption-desorption-regeneration pathway to a circular economy: The role of waste-derived adsorbents on chromium removal, Separation and Purification Technology, 368, (2025), 132996 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2025.132996
  29. Zhihang Liu, Qian Wang, Xiujie Huang, Xueren Qian, Surface Functionalization of Graphene Oxide with Hyperbranched Polyamide-Amine and Microcrystalline Cellulose for Efficient Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions, ACS Omega, 7, 13, (2022), 10944-10954 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c06647
  30. Guosheng Zhang, Na Liu, Yuan Luo, Haibo Zhang, Long Su, Kokyo Oh, Hongyan Cheng, Efficient Removal of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) from Aqueous Solutions by a Mineral-Rich Biochar Derived from a Spent Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Substrate, Materials, 14, 1, (2021), 35 https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14010035
  31. Qianyang Jiang, Jiahuan He, Yinwen Wang, Bangyao Chen, Kewei Tian, Keda Yang, Huangzhao Wei, Xiaoling Xu, Efficient removal of ammonia–nitrogen in wastewater by zeolite molecular sieves prepared from coal fly ash, Scientific Reports, 14, 1, (2024), 21064 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72067-x

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2025-06-07 22:47:48

No citation recorded.