One-dimensional zirconium-doped titanate nanostructures for rapid and capacitive removal of multiple heavy metal ions from water

Abstract

We report a novel, one-dimensional zirconium-doped layered trititanate with a porous core and a textured surface of ultrafine nanofibers (∼5 nm) by the hydrothermal alkaline treatment of electrospun fibers. It demonstrates superior efficiency for rapid, capacitive and simultaneous removal of multiple heavy metal ions such as Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The adsorption is exceptionally rapid, showing 100% removal of Cu²⁺ in 10 min, and 100% removal of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in 20 min in water with a wide range of concentrations from 0.1 to 5 mmol L⁻¹. It displays an extraordinary adsorption capacity for highly toxic Pb²⁺ (2.91 mmol g⁻¹). The sorption isotherms for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Sr²⁺ agree with the Langmuir model, indicating a monolayer adsorption. Corresponding sorption kinetics follow a pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a chemisorption-controlled adsorption process operating under the soft–hard Lewis acid–base principle. The crystal structure of the layered structure is retained after the ion-exchange process, endowing it with promising potential for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated water.