Research Projects

The depletion of natural resources is prompting a focus on recycling and reusing wastewater. Industrial wastewater contains toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants, which can cause health issues like respiratory problems, lung and kidney dysfunction, joint pain, and cancer. Adsorption techniques, such as clay adsorbents, are effective but complex and generate additional acid disposal issues. This research proposal proposes a simple and inexpensive method for preparing a porous kaolin clay adsorbent to control heavy metal ions in wastewater or contaminated surface water. The process involves mixing kaolin clay with biomass waste materials, granulation, and calcination. The adsorbent's granular shape aids in separation after use, and the developed pores enhance surface area and contribute to adsorption. An X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, specific surface area analysis, pore size distribution, and FEsEM studies will characterize the prepared adsorbent. A batch adsorption study will determine the efficiency of the prepared adsorbent. The heavy metal ion concentration in wastewater/contaminated water before and after treatment will be measured using Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAs) or ICP-AEs. The adsorbent's granular shape ensures easy separation from the water after use, and simple regeneration confirms its reuse. Recycling saturated adsorbent for fired ceramic products is a novel step towards a clean and green environment. In conclusion, this project aims to develop a less expensive clay adsorbent that can be used by ordinary people, eliminating heavy metal from contaminated water.