Evaluation of the performance of porous PBAT/modified zeolite composite materials for adsorption of Pb(II) ions from wastewater

Abstract This study is aiming to prepare the porous PBAT/modified zeolite composite by the simple, rapid, and efficient method of preparing them by the solution coating process with modified zeolite as adsorbent, as well as with PBAT as carrying agents and with ethanol as porogenic agent. Some influencing factors for adsorbing PBAT/modified zeolite composite membrane in Lead‐Ion‐Heavy Metal wastewater were researched in this paper, including the effects of zeolite content, modifier type, initial pH, pore‐making agent, adsorption time, adsorption temperature, initial concentration, and feeding quantity. In addition, the adsorption processes of the porous PBAT/modified zeolite composite membrane are studied by means of the adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm models. The finding shows the kinetic data were consistent with the pseudo‐second‐order model, and the data fitting of isothermal adsorption experiment is closer to the Langmuir adsorption model, which is a single‐molecule adsorption process and belongs to chemisorption, with a saturation adsorption amount of about 106.3 mg/g. Therefore, zeolite has great prospects for the removal of Pb(II) in wastewater, and provides a theoretical basis for the efficient treatment of heavy metal‐containing wastewater. Highlights A composite film that can effectively remove Pb(II) from water was prepared. The composite exhibits rational pore structure and high specific surface area. This composite has advantages of biodegradability and reproducibility.