Sorption of heavy metal ions by fullerene and polystyrene/fullerene film compositions.

The kinetics and equilibrium of the process of sorption of heavy metals from aqueous electrolyte solutions by polystyrene, fullerene, and polystyrene/fullerene composites have been studied. The kinetics of sorption of copper, nickel, zinc, and cadmium ions by the studied sorbents is described by the pseudo-firstand pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The rate constants of the process of sorption are determined. It is established that the equilibrium isotherm of sorption of copper ions by fullerene is related to the Langmuirtype isotherms. The sorption capacity of a monomolecular layer with reference to the Cu(II) ions is determined as equal to 14.6 mmol/g. Based on the calculated Henry constants, it is shown that the sorption efficiency increases in the series polystyrene < composition < fullerene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]