Recently, many attempts have been made to use carbon nanotubes in analytical chemistry, especially in adsorption of heavy metal ions from water. In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with tris(2- aminoethyl) amine. The functionalized nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), elemental analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed that the functionalization reaction was successfully accomplished. Lead adsorption from water was carried out using functionalized MWCNTs and measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The effects of pH, shaking time, initial metal ion concentration, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption process were studied via batch method. The results obtained showed that removal of lead ions strongly depended on the pH. Desorption study revealed that lead ions adsorbed on the functionalized MWCNTs could be desorbed at pH < 3 due to breakage of complexes formed on the sorbent surface. Maximum adsorption capacity of the sorbent under the optimal conditions was 43 mg/g. This favorable adsorption capacity suggests that functionalized carbon nanotubes can be applied for removal of lead from water solutions. The data obtained were fitted with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm adsorption models and Langmuir model showed better agreement with the experimental data.
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