Unraveling the selectivity of CuO/mR-TiO2 adsorbent for arsenomolybdate complex: A breakthrough in arsenic removal technologies

• 100 % efficiency of CuO/mR-TiO 2 adsorbents for arsenic. • Conversion of arsenic into arsenomolybdate complex (AMC). • Mechanism of AMC adsorption on CuO/mR-TiO 2 adsorbents. • Portable arsenic removal technology for the consumers of high risky areas. • Awareness and public safety about arsenic contamination. Arsenic is extremely poisonous element and naturally exists in ground water. It’s accumulation and exposure cause cancer in human body. Therefore, its separation or removal is mandatory for the safety of consumers. Current study emphasized the selectivity of arsenic with CuO/mR-TiO 2 adsorbent. Structural characteristics of CuO/mR-TiO 2 were confirmed via XRD, FT-IR, Raman, SEM, TEM and AFM approaches. Purity, chemical compositions and stability were demonstrated by EDX, XPS and TGA analysis. Arsenic contents were potentially removed in the form of arsenomolybdate complex (AMC) adsorption onto the surfaces of CuO/mR-TiO 2 . To the large scale implementation and validity, as prepared adsorbents have been assessed for samples that were collected from Tehsil Haroonabad (risky areas regarding arsenic contamination). To obtain quantitative assessment, presence of arsenic was confirmed with As-Quick TM Kit (WHO and EPA standard). Primarily, dissolved arsenic was converted into arsenomolybdate complex (AMC) and then removed via adsorption on CuO/mR-TiO 2 . Results revealed that CuO/mR-TiO 2 effectively remove arsenic from collected samples with 100% efficiency. Additionally, CuO/mR-TiO 2 is more selective for AMC than bare mR-TiO 2 . Based on facts and activities, it has been concluded that current approach holds promise to replace the costly and conventional adsorbents used for arsenic treatment technologies.