Ferric ion adsorption and electrodesorption by carbon nanotubes and nanofibres films.

Carbon nanotubes and nanofibres (CNTs-CNFs) films have been grown on Ni sheets by low pressure chemical vapor deposition system and show good physical adsorption capability for ferric (Fe3+) ions. The studies of adsorption kinetics and isotherms indicate that Fe3+ adsorption process was regarded as first-order model and followed a Langmuir isotherm indicating monolayer adsorption. The saturated CNTs-CNFs film is easy to be regenerated by electrodesorption with direct voltage applied. The result shows that the combination of adsorption and electrodesorption by CNTs-CNFs is a promising technology to remove the Fe3+ contamination in solution, which can be further extended to the process of other heavy metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]