Application of a new adsorption kinetic model for the removal of Zn(II) ions present in aqueous solutions with Malatya clay

Efficient removal protocols are essential to mitigate the significant environmental issue posed by heavy metal pollution. A prevalent and efficient technique for this is adsorption. Zinc [Zn (II)] is a critical element that must be eliminated from water sources before its concentration attains hazardous levels. This research investigates the kinetics of Zn (II) adsorption on natural Malatya clay (MC) and presents a novel model for said process. The current study used naturally occurring MC as an adsorbent. The material was synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) studies. Tests for adsorption were performed at 298, 308, and 318 K to examine the influence of temperature, pH, and adsorbent dosage. Five models were included in the kinetic and isotherm analyses: Elovich, intraparticle diffusion, pseudo-second-order (PSO), pseudo-first-order (PFO), and a novel model. The least squares method was used to calculate adsorption capacity and regression (R 2 ) values for the best, most accurate model. The adsorption capacity increased with temperature, culminating at pH 6. The PSO model, with an R 2 > 0.99, surpasses all kinetic models except for the Elovich, Weber-Morris (WM), and PFO. The Langmuir isotherm study confirmed chemical adsorption, indicating the highest monolayer adsorption capacity of 43.29 mg/g at 318 K. The proposed kinetic model demonstrated high R 2 values and flexibility, effectively characterizing Zn (II) adsorption on heterogeneous and multilayer surfaces. The findings suggest that MC possesses significant potential for the removal of Zn (II). The suggested kinetic model, which accommodates various surface and adsorption circumstances, offers a fresh and dependable framework for adsorption research. Considering these results, the innovative model and Malatya clay merit substantial attention as effective strategies for alleviating zinc contamination in aquatic environments.