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Natural cellulose fibers from Agave Americana L. ASPARAGACEAE as an effective adsorbent for mercury in aqueous solutions

Sánchez Moreno, Hugo; García Rodríguez, Lourdes; Recalde Moreno, Celso

Abstract

This study investigated the use of functionalized cabuya fibers (FCF) as an effective adsorbent for Hg (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The composition, surface properties, and morphology of the FCF were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of the pH, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and initial Hg (II) concentration on the adsorption process were studied. Under optimized experimental conditions, FCF achieved a removal efficiency exceeding 92%, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.29 mg/g. The experimental data for the FCF isotherm were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, DR, and Temkin adsorption models. Notably, the Langmuir isotherm exhibited the highest R² value of 0.99, indicating the model’s strong applicability. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model k2 = 0.42 mg/g.min was employed to elucidate the adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic studies of the adsorbent FCF were conducted, and ΔG° (-6.16 kJ/mol), ΔH° (36.29 kJ/mol), and ΔS° (141.98 kJ/mol·K) were calculated, assessing the feasibility of the process. Additionally, the desorption results of FCF were evaluated, demonstrating that it can be reused for up to three cycles, achieving adsorption rates of 74% and 62% in the third cycle. This indicates its stability and recycling capacity. Finally, the effectiveness of the FCF was demonstrated by eliminating approximately 91% of Hg (II) from real mineral water samples in Ecuador. These results highlight the p of FCF as promising, eco-friendly, and sustainable adsorbents for the remediation of Hg (II) contamination in aquatic systems.

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Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 h ps://doi.o g/10.1007/s10450-024-00590-4 coppe (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), ch omium (C ), nickel (Ni), and me cu y (Hg) a e ha m ul by-p oduc s o hese indus ial p ocesses [1, 2]. Once in oduced in o he en i- onmen , hese me als dispe se h ough ai , soil, and wa e , accumula ing in li ing o ganisms due o hei non-biode- g adable na u e [3]. Thei oxici y is especially ala ming o aqua ic li e and can ha e de imen al e ec s on human heal h, e en a e y low concen a ions [4, 5].The impac o hea y me al pollu ion ex ends beyond heal h issues, sig- ni ican ly a ec ing he economic s abili y and quali y o li e o he a ec ed communi ies [6]. Among hea y me als, me cu y is conside ed one o he mos haza dous due o i s high oxici y and capaci y o bioaccumula ion [7]. Exces- si e me cu y in ake poses signi ican isks o he cen al ne ous, diges i e, and enal sys ems in humans [8]. The Wo ld Heal h O ganiza ion (WHO) ecommends a maxi- mum allowable limi o 0.006 mg/L o mine al me cu y in d inking wa e , wi h a o al daily in ake no exceeding 2 µg/ 1 In oduc ion Hea y me al pollu ion, pa icula ly ha which a ises om ac i i ies such as mining, ba e y p oduc ion, and he pha - maceu ical indus y, poses a se ious isk o bo h he en i- onmen and public heal h. Me als such as cadmium (Cd), Lou des Ga cía-Rod íguez [email p o ec ed] Hugo Sánchez-Mo eno [email p o ec ed] 1 G upo de In es igación de Ene gías Al e na i as y Ambien e, Facul ad de Ciencias, Escuela Supe io Poli écnica de Chimbo azo (ESPOCH), Paname icana Su Km 1 ½, EC060155 Chimbo azo, Ecuado 2 Depa amen o de Ingenie ía Ene gé ica, Escuela Técnica Supe io de Ingenie ía (ETSI), Uni e sidad de Se illa. ETSI, Camino de Los Descub imien os, s/n, Se illa 41092, Spain Abs ac This s udy in es iga ed he use o unc ionalized cabuya ibe s (FCF) as an e ec i e adso ben o Hg (II) emo al om aqueous solu ions. The composi ion, su ace p ope ies, and mo phology o he FCF we e cha ac e ized by scanning elec on mic oscopy (SEM), ene gy dispe si e X- ay spec ome y (EDS), and Fou ie ans o m in a ed spec oscopy (FTIR). The e ec s o he pH, con ac ime, empe a u e, adso ben dosage, and ini ial Hg (II) concen a ion on he adso p- ion p ocess we e s udied. Unde op imized expe imen al condi ions, FCF achie ed a emo al e iciency exceeding 92%, wi h a maximum adso p ion capaci y o 8.29 mg/g. The expe imen al da a o he FCF iso he m we e analyzed using he Langmui , F eundlich, DR, and Temkin adso p ion models. No ably, he Langmui iso he m exhibi ed he highes R² alue o 0.99, indica ing he model’s s ong applicabili y. The pseudo-second-o de kine ic model k2 = 0.42 mg/g.min was employed o elucida e he adso p ion mechanism. The modynamic s udies o he adso ben FCF we e conduc ed, and ΔG° (-6.16 kJ/mol), ΔH° (36.29 kJ/mol), and ΔS° (141.98 kJ/mol·K) we e calcula ed, assessing he easibili y o he p ocess. Addi ionally, he deso p ion esul s o FCF we e e alua ed, demons a ing ha i can be eused o up o h ee cycles, achie ing adso p ion a es o 74% and 62% in he hi d cycle. This indica es i s s abili y and ecycling capaci y. Finally, he e ec i eness o he FCF was demons a ed by elimina ing app oxima ely 91% o Hg (II) om eal mine al wa e samples in Ecuado . These esul s highligh he p o FCF as p omising, eco- iendly, and sus ainable adso ben s o he emedia ion o Hg (II) con amina ion in aqua ic sys ems. Keywo ds Hg (II) adso p ion · Mining was ewa e ea men · Adso p ion iso he m · Kine ic models · Adso p ion iso he ms · Na u al ibe s Recei ed: 6 No embe 2024 / Re ised: 16 Decembe 2024 / Accep ed: 26 Decembe 2024 / Published online: 31 Janua y 2025 © The Au ho (s) 2025 Na u al cellulose ibe s om Aga e Ame icana L. ASPARAGACEAE as an e ec i e adso ben o me cu y in aqueous solu ions HugoSánchez-Mo eno1· Lou desGa cía-Rod íguez2· CelsoRecalde-Mo eno1 1 3 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 kg o body weigh [9]. The e o e, he emo al o Hg (II) om aqueous solu ions is essen ial, highligh ing he need o e ec i e me hods o elimina e Hg (II) [10]. Common emedia ion echniques o he elimina ion o con aminan s om was ewa e , such as chemical p ecipi a ion [11], ion exchange [12], e e se osmosis [13], coagula ion [14], elec ochemical ea men s [15], and memb ane p ocesses, ha e been epo ed in he li e a u e [16]. Howe e , mos o hese me hods ha e some disad an ages such as high cos , oxic was e p oduc ion, educed e iciency, and high ene gy consump ion [17]. Adso p ion is conside ed one o he bes was ewa e ea men echniques and has ecei ed consid- e able a en ion due o i s ope a ional easibili y, simple design, high e iciency in con aminan emo al, as well as i s ecyclabili y and eusabili y [18, 19]. In ecen yea s, nume ous s udies ha e been conduc ed o iden i y sus ainable and cos -e ec i e adso ben s de i ed om na u al biomass [20]. Among hese ma e ials, cellu- losic biomass has ga ne ed signi ican in e es due o i s low cos and abundance [21]. This ype o biomass is cha ac e - ized by i s high numbe o hyd oxyl g oups on he su ace, which acili a es modi ica ion, as well as i s excellen spe- ci ic esis ance, la ge su ace a ea, and ema kable he mal and chemical s abili ies [22, 23]. Examples o cellulosic biomass include Ame ican aga e [24], lax ibe s [25], Cis- sus quad angula is Linn plan [26], and palm oil ibe s [27]. Plan ibe s a e known as he mos abundan enewable esou ce in na u e, composed mainly o cellulose, hemicel- lulose, and lignin, wi h a hie a chical s uc u e ha spans om he me ic scale o he nanome ic scale [28]. In his con ex , aga e is p esen ed as a g oup o dese plan s belonging o he monoco amily Aga aceae [29]. I is cha ac e ized by i s spiny lea es, which p oduce a a ie y o ibe s [30]. Despi e hei abundan a ailabili y and en i- onmen al sus ainabili y, aga e ibe s ha e ye o achie e signi ican economic alue [31]. I has been demons a ed ha aga e ibe s a e highly e ec i e adso ben s o he emo al o dyes and ch omium om [29]. Howe e , despi e hei ema kable adso p ion capaci y, he p ope ies o hese ibe s in cap u ing hea y me al ions ha e ye o be explo ed in dep h. In his s udy, he main objec i es we e o explo e he emo al e icacy and adso p ion mechanism o Hg (II) on cabuya (Aga e Ame icana L. ASPARAGACEAE) ibe s unc ionalized wi h NaOH (FCF). A se ies o cha ac e iza- ions, such as FTIR, SEM, and EDS, we e conduc ed o in es iga e he physicochemical p ope ies. The esis ance o en i onmen al exposu e was examined agains pH le els and empe a u e, as well as he eusabili y o FCF. Subse- quen ly, adso p ion kine ics, iso he ms, and he modynam- ics we e s udied o in es iga e he adso p ion p ope ies o Hg (II) on FCF. The p ac ical applica ion o FCF in eal wa e bodies was also explo ed, speci ically in was ewa e om a isanal mining a he Vi gen de las Nie es Bene icia- ion Plan in Za uma. Th ough his comp ehensi e app oach, i is expec ed no only o con ibu e o he unde s anding o he adso p ion capaci y o Hg (II) on FCF bu also o p o- ide a iable solu ion o he emedia ion o con amina ed wa e s in Ecuado . This add esses a signi ican en i onmen- al issue and p omo es public heal h, ma king a s ep o wa d in s a egies o mi iga ing hea y me al con amina ion in a coun y wi h abundan ege a ion o Aga e. 2 Ma e ials and me hods 2.1 Reagen s and ma e ials Ame ican Aga e L. ASPARAGACEAE was collec ed in he cen e o he in e -Andean egion o Ecuado , in he Rio- bamba sec o . The bioso ben was ea ed wi h aqueous solu ions o app op ia e concen a ions p epa ed using NaOH, which was acqui ed om ISOLAB Labo ge a e GmbH, We heim, Ge many. The Hg (II) s anda d solu- ion o 1000 mg/L was acqui ed om AccuS anda d (New Ha en, Connec icu , USA). HCl and HNO3 we e pu chased om LOBA CHEMIE PVT. L d. All chemicals and sol en s used in his s udy we e o analy ical g ade, and no addi ional pu i ica ion sys ems we e equi ed. Milli-Q wa e was used o p epa e he solu ions ( esis i i y: 18.2 MΩ.cm a 298 K). 2.2 Me hods Cabuya lea es we e collec ed and unc ionalized by sal hyd olysis a 40 °C o 4 h. The esul ing FCF we e washed o emo e non-cellulosic compounds and we e cha ac e - ized using SEM, EDX, and FTIR. The FCF we e hen es ed as Hg (II) abso ben s wi h me cu y solu ions o known con- cen a ions placed in con ac wi h he FCF. The e ec s o a ious ac o s, including he con ac ime, sample dose, pH, empe a u e, and concen a ion, we e eco ded o de e mine he amoun o Hg (II) e ained. Me cu y adso p- ion was analyzed using a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. To de e mine he ype o adso p ion be ween he FCF and analy e, an adso p ion iso he m es was pe o med, which e alua ed he equilib ium da a based on he Langmui and F eundlich iso he m models unde expe imen al condi ions. Addi ionally, he adso p ion kine ics o me cu y in he FCF we e s udied by i ing he expe imen al da a o pseudo- i s - o de and pseudo-second-o de kine ic models. 1 3 40 Page 2 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 3 Expe imen a ion 3.1 P epa a ion o FCF The ex ac ion o na u al ibe s poses a conside able chal- lenge in he p ocessing o plan ibe s. Lea es o black cabuya (Aga e ame icana L. ASPARAGACEAE) we e col- lec ed, which ini ially exhibi ed a g ay-g een colo . The ibe s om he plan we e manually ex ac ed, and he ho ns om he edges we e immed (Kozłowski e al., 2020). The collec ed ibe s unde wen a pu i ica ion and unc ionaliza- ion p ocess using a 5% (w/ ) sodium hyd oxide (NaOH) solu ion, which is gene ally op imal o mos na u al ibe s na u ales [32].This p ocess was ca ied ou a a empe a- u e o a ound 40 °C o a pe iod o 4 h [33]. Subsequen ly, he ea ed ibe s we e epea edly washed wi h deionized wa e using ul asonic cleaning equipmen un il a pH o 6 was eached. Finally, he unc ionalized cabuya ibe s (FCF) we e d ied in an o en a 75 °C o 24 h o emo e excess wa e [34]. 3.2 Cha ac e iza ion s udies The mic os uc u e o he FCF was analyzed using a Nikon Eclipse E200 da a acquisi ion op ical mic oscope wi h a pa a ocal leng h o 60 mm and a 10X ield o iew scanning elec on mic oscope (SEM, JSM-IT100LA). The samples we e moun ed on s ubs wi h double-sided adhesi e ape and coa ed wi h a hin laye o e apo a ed gold (Au) [35]. The FTIR spec um o he FCF was ob ained using a Fou- ie ans o m in a ed spec ome e (JASCO FT/IR-4100) om 4000 o 560 cm−1. The co esponding g aph was ans- o med in o a peak abso bance g aph wi h a esolu ion o 16 cm−1. 3.3 Feasibili y o FCF as hg (II) e aine s in wa e To es ablish he capaci y o he FCF o e ain me cu y, a ce i ied me cu y (II) s anda d o 1000 mg/L was used, and solu ion o 1.0 mg/L was p epa ed o a ious assays (e ec o con ac ime, adso ben quan i y, agi a ion, ini ial Hg (II) concen a ion, pH, and empe a u e). These solu ions we e placed in con ac wi h he FCF and once equilib ium was eached, he pe cen age o me cu y adso bed o each es was de e mined using a omic abso p ion spec ome y. 3.3.1 E ec o con ac ime The adso p ion o Hg (II) me al ions was measu ed by plac- ing 0.5 and 1.0 g o FCF in a lask con aining 100 mL o a solu ion o me cu y (1.0 mg/L) wi hou pH adjus men . The con en s o he lask we e agi a ed unde ul asound o 60 s and mechanical agi a ion was con inued a 150 pm o 24 h a a cons an empe a u e o 25 °C. Samples o he liquid phase (1 mL) we e collec ed a ime in e als o 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min, and hen a 2 h and 4 h. A e each aliquo was aken, i was i a ed o 10 mL wi h deionized wa e and me cu y e en ion was de e mined by a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. 3.3.2 E ec o adso ben quan i y (FCF) The e ec o he FCF quan i y on me cu y e en ion was de e mined by a ying he adso ben dose o each assay (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 g) in a ixed- olume lask con aining 100 mL o a solu ion wi h a 1.0 mg/L me cu y ion concen a ion a a empe a u e o 25 °C wi hou pH adjus men . The con en s o he lask we e shaken unde ul asound o 60 s and mechanically agi a ed a 150 pm un il equilib ium was eached. An aliquo o 1 mL was hen aken and dilu ed o 10.0 mL wi h deionized wa e , and he concen a ion o he e ained me cu y was de e mined using a omic abso p ion spec oscopy equipmen . 3.3.3 E ec o empe a u e The e ec o empe a u e was e alua ed wi h alues be ween 25, 35, and 45 °C, o which he op imal condi- ions o FCF iden i ied in Sec . 3.3.1 and 3.3.2, which we e he equilib ium ime and dosage o he sample, p ese ing a concen a ion o 1.0 mg/L o me cu y, a a olume o 100 mL, wi hou pH adjus men . Once equilib ium was eached, aliquo s o 1 mL we e aken, illed o he 10.0 mL calib a- ion ma k, and he me cu y concen a ion was de e mined by a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. 3.3.4 E ec o pH on e en ion The poin o ze o cha ge (PZC) o FCF biomass was cal- cula ed by mixing 50 mg o FCF wi h 10 ml o a 0.01 M NaCl elec oly e solu ion. The ini ial pH was adjus ed using 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M HCl, and he mix u e was agi a ed o 24 h a oom empe a u e. The pH o he il a e was measu ed a e il e ing, and he PZC was de e mined as he in e sec ion o he cu e wi h he y-axis = 0. To s udy he e ec o pH on Hg (II) adso p ion, di e en solu ions we e p epa ed a pH alues o 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0, wi h me cu y concen a ion o 1.0 mg/L o me cu y. The adso - ben samples we e added o a s able olume o 100 mL o each p epa ed solu ion, and he con ac ime was eached. The me cu y concen a ion was de e mined using a omic abso p ion spec oscopy and he pH was adjus ed using analy ical-g ade HCl and NaOH. 1 3 Page 3 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 FCF we e placed in 100 mL o a solu ion o HCl and HNO3 wi h concen a ions o 0.1 mol L−1 in di e en assays, wi h 150 pm agi a ion a 25 °C o 8 h. The deso p ion p ocess was pe o med in duplica e du ing one deso p ion cycle. Once he es was comple ed, he e ained me cu y concen a ion was de e mined using a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. 3.7 Re en ion Capaci y in hg (II)-Fo i ied Real Wa e samples To e alua e he me cu y e en ion capaci y o he FCF, sam- ples o me cu y-con amina ed was ewa e om he gold ex ac ion sys ems o he Vi gen de las Nie es Bene icia ion Plan in Za uma, Ecuado (Sou h Ame ica) we e used. Mine wa e (100 mL) was collec ed, and Hg (II) concen a ions o 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, and 30 mg/L we e added o ob ain a o i ied sample. The mine wa e used was ob ained om ou sampling poin s: he en ance, exi , gold ex ac ion poin s, and was ewa e discha ge pool. The o i ied mine wa e was b ough in o con ac wi h 1.0 g o FCF and agi- a ed un il an equilib ium was eached. A e equilib ium, aliquo s o 1.0 mL we e aken, dilu ed o 10 mL, diges ed, and he me cu y concen a ion was de e mined by a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. 4 Resul s and discussion 4.1 Cha ac e iza ion o FCF 4.1.1 Scanning elec on mic oscopy (SEM) and ene gy- dispe sed spec oscopy (EDS) Figu e 1 shows he mo phology o he cellulose su ace wi h inc ease o 800X (Fig. 1a) and 370X (Fig. 1b). The SEM mic og aphs show he s uc u e o long, hick, and FCF wi h an a e age diame e o 65 μm. A s udy by [38] he Uni e - si y o São Paulo epo ed a diame e o app oxima ely 50 μm. On he o he hand, Fig. 1b depic s a smoo h su ace s uc u e o ib ils wi h uni o m sizes, due o ea men wi h sodium hyd oxide, which success ully emo ed impu i ies. In Fig. 1a, holes wi h an a e age size o 3 μm we e obse ed. The EDS analysis o he FCF is p esen ed in Fig. 2, namely, he a ea analyzed (Fig. 2a) and i s spec um (Fig. 2b). The EDS mapping o he ibe e ealed he p esence o ca bon, oxygen, and gold. Speci ically, he p esence o ca bon and oxygen indica es ha he e we e no impu i ies in he o he elemen . In addi ion, he appea ance o gold was because he ibe s we e coa ed wi h a hin laye o gold o make hem conduc i e. Finally, he spec um indica es an 3.3.5 E ec o ini ial hg (II) concen a ion The e ec o he ini ial Hg (II) concen a ion on adso p ion by he FCF ob ained was ca ied ou by placing 1.0 g o d y FCF ibe s in a se ies o lasks con aining 100 mL o me al ions a de ined concen a ions (10–100 mg/L), wi hou pH adjus men . The con en s o he lasks we e agi a ed a 150 pm and 25 °C o 120 min. A e adso p ion, he esidual concen a ion o he me al ions was de e mined using a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. 3.3.6 E ec o agi a ion The e ec o agi a ion on Hg (II) adso p ion was de e mined o analyze he in luence o his ac o . Fo his pu pose, an ini ial me cu y concen a ion o 10 mg/L was p epa ed, main aining pa ame e s such as an adso ben dose o 1.0 g, con ac ime o 120 min, pH o 5, and a cons an empe a u e o 25 °C. Tes s we e pe o med wi h and wi hou agi a ion. A e adso p ion, he inal me cu y concen a ion was de e - mined by a omic abso p ion spec oscopy. 3.4 Adso p ion iso he m and adso p ion kine ics The adso p ion iso he m desc ibes he equilib ium o a ma e ial on a su ace based on he ela ionship be ween adso ba e concen a ion and adso bed [36]. In his s udy, Langmui , F eundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-RudushKe - ich adso p ion iso he ms we e in es iga ed o iden i y he bes iso he mal model o desc ibing me cu y adso p ion in FCF. Addi ionally, a undamen al aspec was add essed using kine ic analysis, which p o ided a desc ip ion o he a e and mechanism o Hg (II) adso p ion. To his end, he adso p ion kine ics o Hg (II) we e s udied by i ing he expe imen al da a o he pseudo- i s -o de , pseudo-second- o de , and Elo ich kine ic models. 3.5 The modynamic s udy The he modynamic adso p ion model is mainly used o cha ac e ize he he modynamic p ope ies o he adso p ion p ocess by p o iding in o ma ion on he mechanism o he empe a u e e ec s on he wa e -me cu y in e ace adso p- ion [37]. To his end, he he modynamic pa ame e s o he adso p ion o Hg (II) ions in FCF we e s udied h ough he changes o Gibbs ee ene gy, en opy and en halpy modi y- ing he empe a u e o he sys em be ween 25 °C and 40 °C. 3.6 Deso p ion analysis Once he adso p ion p ocess was comple e, wo leaching agen s we e used o assess Hg (II) e en ion. Hg (II)-loaded 1 3 40 Page 4 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 a signi ican inc ease in he ela i e in ensi y o he OH band om 3332 cm o 1 o 3370 cm−1, a dec ease in he in ensi y o he C = O band om 1666 cm o 1 o 1627 cm−1, and he appea ance o he ela i e in ensi y o he C-H band a 2360 cm−1 (Fig. 3b). 4.2 In luence o di e en expe imen al pa ame e s on hg (II) e en ion by FCF To es he iabili y o he FCF as a Hg (II) adso ben , a ce - i ied Hg (II) s anda d o 1000 mg/L was used, om which a s anda d solu ion (1.0 mg/L) was p epa ed o e alua e he in luence o di e en ope a ing pa ame e s on he FCF (con- ac ime, adso ben dose, agi a ion, empe a u e and pH). Mo eo e , a ia ions in he ini ial Hg (II) concen a ion (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/L) we e s udied o es ablish he op imal wo king condi ions. The adso p ion pe cen age was calcula ed using Eq. (1). a omic a io be ween O: C equal o 46:54 and a s ong signal a ound 0.4 eV co esponding o C. 4.1.2 In a ed spec oscopy (FTIR) The un ea ed cabuya ibe (CF) displayed s ong FTIR bands a 1029 cm−1, 1322 cm−1, 1666 cm−1, 2920 cm−1, and 3332 cm−1 (Fig. 3a). The 1029 cm−1 bands a e cha ac e is ic o na u al cellulosic ibe s and a e a ibu ed o he s e ch- ing o he p ima y alcohol (-C-O-H) [39]. The bands a 1322 cm−1 a e a ibu ed o he -C-O s e ching band and he p es- ence o an isop opyl g oup on he su ace. The bands a ound 2920 cm−1 a e associa ed wi h asymme ical and symme i- cal me hyl and me hylene s e ching g oups. The band a 1666 cm−1 co esponds o he C = O es e , while he bands a ound 3332 cm−1 a e a ibu ed o he di e en s e ching modes o he O-H g oup [38]. A e exposu e o NaOH, he FTIR spec um o he ibe showed some changes, including Fig. 2 (a) SEM– EDS FCF analyzed a ea, (b) SEM– EDS FCF spec um Fig. 1 Mo phology o he cellulose su ace (FCF) (a) Inc ease o 800 × (20 μm) and (b) inc ease o 370 × (50 μm) 1 3 Page 5 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 o Hg (II) unde hese condi ions we e 86.61% and 92.32%, espec i ely. I is also e iden ha wi hin he i s 5 min, he adso p ion exceeded 65%, con i ming ha FCF has se e al ac i e si es wi h adequa e a ini y be ween he OH g oups o Hg (II), allowing immedia e in e ac ion a e con ac , which esul s in e ec i e adso p ion [40]. 4.2.2 E ec o adso ben dose This s udy in es iga ed he e ec o adso ben dose on he emo al o Hg (II) ions om aqueous solu ions (Fig. 5), e ealing ha he adso p ion p ocess is closely ela ed o he a ailabili y o ac i e si es o con aminan in e ac ion [41]. Using di e en amoun s o adso ben (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 g) a a concen a ion o 1.0 mg/L, unde agi a ion o 120 min a 150 pm and a cons an empe a u e Adso p ion (%) = Ci −C Ci ×100% (1) Whe e Ci (µg/L) and C (µg/L) ep esen he me al concen- a ions in he p epa ed Hg (II) solu ion be o e and a e adso p ion, espec i ely. 4.2.1 E ec o con ac ime The e ec o con ac ime on he FCF was in es iga ed wi h 0.5 and 1.0 g o FCF samples in 100 mL o a solu ion o 1.0 mg/L o Hg (II), agi a ion (150 pm), ime ange (5–240 min), and a cons an empe a u e o 25 °C. Figu e 4 shows ha he adso p ion e iciency o Hg (II) inc eased o e ime om 5 o 120 min, ollowed by sligh deso p ion a 240 min. The e o e, 120 min was chosen as he op imal con ac ime o he subsequen expe imen s. The maximum adso p ions Fig. 3 FTIR spec a o cabuya ibe spec a (a) d ied be o e exposu e o sodium hyd oxide (NaOH), (b) a e exposu e o sodium hyd oxide (NaOH) ( ime 4 h and empe a u e 40 °C 1 3 40 Page 6 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 4.2.4 E ec o solu ion pH The pH o a solu ion can signi ican ly a ec s he adso p- ion p ocess o me al ions on adso ben s. This is because he pH can a ec bo h he me al species in he solu ion and he su ace cha ac e is ics o he adso ben s. Fo ins ance, i can in luence he dissocia ion o unc ional g oups and gene a- ion o cha ges on he su ace [44]. The poin o ze o cha ge (PZC) o FCF (Fig. 7) is a c ucial pa ame e in he adso p- ion p ocess and was de e mined o be 2.90. This alue has signi ican implica ions o Hg (II) emo al. When he solu- ion pH is g ea e han he pH PZC, he FCF su ace acqui es a ne nega i e cha ge, which inc eases he adso p ion capac- i y by p omo ing elec os a ic in e ac ions be ween ca ionic Hg (II) and elec on- ich su ace si es. Con e sely, when he pH is lowe han he pH PZC, he adso ben su ace exhib- i s a ne posi i e cha ge, gene a ing epulsi e o ces ha , in heo y, should educe Hg (II) adso p ion [4, 45]. This e ec is e lec ed in he expe imen al esul s (Fig. 8), whe e adso p ion inc eases signi ican ly a pH condi ions abo e 2.9, eaching a maximum in he pH ange o 5. o 25 °C, i was obse ed ha he pe cen age o Hg (II) ion emo al inc eased signi ican ly om 48.96 o 92.32% as he adso ben dose ose om 0.2 g o 1.0 g. Beyond his poin , he emo al e iciency emained nea ly cons an , iden i y- ing 1.0 g as he op imal dose. This s abiliza ion could be a ibu ed o sys em sa u a ion o adso ben agg ega ion, phenomena ha educe he speci ic adso p ion e iciency despi e he inc eased amoun o adso ben [42]. 4.2.3 In luence o empe a u e Tempe a u e is an addi ional ac o ha a ec s he so p ion p ocess. In his s udy, equilib ium da a in he empe a u e anges o 25, 35, and 40 °C we e used, using a dose o 1.0 g o adso ben and an analy e concen a ion o 1.0 mg/L. Figu e 6 shows how he adso p ion capaci y o Hg ions inc eased p og essi ely wi h inc easing empe a u e, wi h a maximum adso p ion o 96.81%. This could be explained by he ac ha a highe empe a u es, he e is be e in e - ac ion be ween he Hg ions and he ac i e g oups o he FCF [43]. Fig. 4 In luence o con ac ime on Hg (II) adso p ion. Tes condi ions: 1.0 mg/L; 150 pm; T=25 °C; V = 100 mL, mAdso ben = 0.5 g and 1.0 g 1 3 Page 7 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 4.2.5 E ec o ini ial hg (II) concen a ion The impac o he ini ial concen a ion o Hg (II) on he pe - cen age o Hg (II) adso p ion by FCF in he aqueous solu ion was in es iga ed o iden i y he possible sa u a ion o FCF. The ini ial concen a ion o Hg (II) (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/L) was a ied while main aining o he pa am- e e s such as an adso ben dose o 1.00 g, agi a ion speed o 150 pm, con ac ime o 120 min, no pH adjus men , and a cons an empe a u e o 25 °C. The esul s ob ained o he e ec o he ini ial concen a ion o Hg (II) on he adso p- ion o Hg (II) ions is shown in Fig. 9. 4.2.6 E ec o agi a ion Figu e 10 shows he Hg (II) ion adso p ion capaci y o FCF when agi a ed a 150 pm wi hou agi a ion. The assay was pe o med a an ini ial concen a ion o 10 mg/L, main ain- ing pa ame e s such as an adso ben dose o 1.0 g, con ac The s udy e ealed ha he maximum adso p ion o Hg (II) (Fig. 8) was achie ed a a pH o 5, while he bes adso p ion esul s wi h FCF we e obse ed a pH le els o 3, 5, and 7, wi h adso p ion e iciencies o 90%, 92%, and 89%, espec i ely. These esul s indica e ha FCF can e ec- i ely abso b Hg (II) a pH alues close o neu al, which is an ad an age when dealing wi h eal e luen s in mining a eas [46]. On he o he hand, he lowes eco ded adso p- ion, 67%, occu ed a a pH o 1, which is a ibu ed o he acidic na u e o he medium. Unde hese condi ions, he ac i e g oups o he adso ben may unde go pa ial p o on- a ion, limi ing i s adso p ion capaci y, in addi ion o com- pe i ion be ween H(I) and Hg (II) ions o he ac i e si es o FCF [47]. A a pH o 9, a dec ease in Hg adso p ion was obse ed, likely due o he p esence o a ious Hg species in wa e , such as Hg (OH), Hg (OH)2, and Hg (II), which p omo e he o ma ion o Hg (II) hyd oxide complexes and educe adso p ion e iciency [48]. Mo eo e , he p esence o high concen a ions o Na+ ions could compe e wi h Hg (II) ions o he adso p ion si es on he FCF su ace [49]. Fig. 5 Dosing o adso ben mass in he Hg (II) adso p ion expe imen s. Tes condi ions: 1.0 mg/L; 150 pm; T=25 °C; V= 100 mL, =120 min 1 3 40 Page 8 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 he su ace becomes oughe , leading o a pa ial block- age o some po es and educing he a ailable su ace a ea, he eby dec easing he adso p ion capaci y [51]. Figu e 11b and d p esen he esul s o he EDS analysis ollowing he adso p ion o Hg a concen a ions o 1 mg/L and 10 mg/L, espec i ely. In he wo compa a i e analyses, signi ican di e ences we e obse ed in he elemen al composi ion. In he i s case, Hg II was no de ec ed, likely due o wo k- ing wi h an ini ial concen a ion o only 1 mg/L o Hg (II) o he adso p ion p ocess wi h FCF. This esul ed in aces ha we e oo small o be de ec ed by he limi ed sensi i i y o he analysis. In con as , in he second analysis, minimal aces o Hg (II) we e iden i ied (0.01% by mass and 0.02% by a oms), as a highe ini ial concen a ion o 10 mg/L o Hg (II) was used o he adso p ion p ocess. This inc ease may ha e imp o ed he sensi i i y o he analysis. Rega d- ing ca bon (C) and oxygen (O), bo h elemen s p edomina ed a he a omic le el in he analyses; howe e , hei mass con- ibu ion was g ea e in he i s case (8.48% and 10.45%, espec i ely, compa ed o 2.50% and 2.21% in he second). These di e ences could be a ibu ed o a la ge su ace ime o 120 min, pH o 5, and a cons an empe a u e o 25 °C. I can be ound ha he e iciency in he emo al o Hg ions is highe when wo king wi h agi a ion eaching an adso p ion o 91.84%, while adso p ion wi hou agi a ion eaches 87.68%. F om he esul s ob ained, i is e iden ha agi a ion is a c i ical aspec o be conside ed o imp o - ing adso p ion, because i allows he adso ba e molecules o ha e g ea e con ac wi h he adso ben , gua an eeing g ea e homogenei y in all emp y si es on he su ace o he adso ben [50]. 4.2.7 SEM and EDS a e he adso p ion p ocess Figu e 11 shows he su ace mo phology FCF a e he adso p ion o Hg (II), obse ed a a magni ica ion o 300X (Fig. 11a and c). Compa ing his mo phology wi h ha o he ini ial adso ben , p esen ed in Fig. 1a and b o Sec . 4.1.1, a signi ican change can be obse ed. P io o adso p ion, he su ace o he adso ben is clean and homo- geneous, p o iding nume ous ac i e si es o in e ac ion wi h con aminan s. Howe e , a e he adso p ion p ocess, Fig. 6 Adso p ion o Hg (II) on FCF a di e en empe a u es. Tes condi ions: 1.0 mg/L; 150 pm; mAdso ben = 1.0 g; V= 100 mL, =120 min 1 3 Page 9 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 Ce is he concen a ion o he me al a equilib ium (mg/L) and Co is he ini ial concen a ion o Hg (II) (mg/L). The alues o he s anda d changes in en halpy (ΔH0) and en opy (ΔS0) we e calcula ed om he slope and in e cep o he ln Kc e sus 1/T plo . Table 4 shows he he mody- namic pa ame e s o he adso p ion o Hg (II) ions on he FCF. O he au ho s ha e sugges ed s udying he s anda d change in he Gibbs ee ene gy using he ollowing equa- ions [77]: K0 e= (1000 •K L •M)•1mol/L γ (14) ∆G 0=−RTlnK0 e (15) whe e KL (L/mg) is he Langmui adso p ion cons an , which is ela ed o he p ope ies o he adso ben , he adso ba e, and he empe a u e. Whe e M ep esen s he 4.5 The modynamic s udy Se e al esea che s ha e analyzed he he modynamic p op- e ies o cellulose-based adso ben s wi h espec o Hg (II). Some s udies ha e desc ibed he endo he mic na u e o Hg (II) adso p ion by cellulose-based adso ben ma e ials [75]. The he modynamic pa ame e s can be s udied wi h he Gibbs F ee Ene gy s anda d change using he ollowing equa ion: ∆G 0=−RTlnKc (12) whe e R is he uni e sal gas cons an , T is he absolu e em- pe a u e (K), and Kc is he adso p ion equilib ium cons an [76]: Kc = Co −Ce Ce (13) Fig. 13 Langmui iso he m plo s o he adso p ion o Hg (II) on FCF 1 3 40 Page 16 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 Fig. 15 Dubinin-Radushke ich iso he m plo s o he adso p ion o Hg (II) on FCF Fig. 14 Hg (II) adso p ion iso he ms on FCF acco ding o he Temkin model 1 3 Page 17 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 concen a ion du ing deso p ion. The deso p ion pe cen - ages, deno ed as D, we e calcula ed om he adso p ion and deso p ion da a using he ollowing Equa ion [81]: %D= C des Cads (17) whe e Cdes (mg/g) is he amoun o me al deso bed by (HCl and HNO3) and Cads (mg/g) is he amoun o me al adso bed by he solid. Figu e 19 shows ha he deso p ion p ocesses we e incomple e when using 0.1 mol/L HCl and 0.1 mol/L HNO3 o e 8 h. The pe cen age o Hg deso bed using HNO3 (31%) was highe han ha deso bed using HCl (21%). The mos ly i e e sible na u e o adso p ion can be a ibu ed o speci ic in e ac ions a high-ene gy si es in FCF [82]. This obse - a ion is consis en wi h he pseudo-second-o de model, which p o ed o be he mos sui able o ep esen ing he expe imen al Hg (II) adso p ion alues in he FCF. This model is ypically associa ed wi h chemical adso p ion p ocesses. 4.7 Reusabili y Reusabili y is a c ucial componen o good adso ben s, in e ms o s abili y and cos -e ec i eness o p ac ical appli- ca ions. Deso p ion es s we e pe o med using 0.1 mol/L HCl and 0.1 mol/L HNO3 as an eluen o e alua e he egen- e a ion po en ial o FCF and i s eusabili y as adso ben s o he emo al o Hg (II) ions. The esul s a e shown in Table 6. The esul s o he eusabili y s udy showed ha deso p- ion esul ed in minimal loss in he adso p ion capaci y o he cellulosic ibe . The pe cen age o Hg (II) ion emo ed dec eased as he numbe o eusabili y cycles inc eased. The pe cen age o Hg (II) ion emo al using HNO3 dec eased om 92 o 74% (18% loss), whe eas when HCl was used, i dec eased om 90 o 62% in bo h cases a e h ee adso p- ion/deso p ion cycles. This dec ease in he pe cen age o adso p ion can be explained by epe i i e adso p ion/deso p- ion p ocesses ha cause deple ion o ac i e si es [83]. How- e e , hese indings indica e ha he unc ionalized ibe can egene a e e en a e being epea edly used o Hg (II) ions, molecula weigh o he adso ba e, γ is he coe icien o ac i i y (dimensionless), assumed o be 1.0, and Ke 0 is he dimensionless he modynamic equilib ium cons an . ∆G (kJ/mol) is he Gibbs ee ene gy change and R is he gas cons an (8.314 J/mol/K). Table 5 summa izes his me hod. This can be seen in Tables 4 and 5 all ΔG° alues we e nega i e, demons a ing ha he adso p ion o Hg (II) in FCF is he modynamically iable and spon aneous in na u e. In addi ion, ΔG° alues below 40 kJmol−1 indica e ha he p ocess o Hg (II) adso p ion in FCF should no be conside ed a chemically pu e mechanism, bu also ha i occu s by a physical mechanism [78]. Finally, he posi i e alues o ΔH° and ΔS° o Hg (II) adso p ion indica e he endo he mic na u e o his p ocess and a end o inc easing andomness in he equilib ium be ween he adso ben and he adso bed me al [79]. 4.6 Deso p ion Analysis To ully cha ac e ize he sys em in his s udy, he deso p- ion p ocess mus also be analyzed. The amoun o e ained me al (mg Hg (II) pe g FCF) was calcula ed om he di e - ence be ween he amoun adso bed and deso bed, acco ding o he ollowing Equa ion [80]: C =Cads −Cdes (16) whe e C (mg/g) and Cads (mg/g) a e he amoun s e ained and adso bed, espec i ely, and Cdes (mg/g) is he equilib ium Table 1 Iso he mal pa ame e s o he Langmui and F eundlich models o hg (II) adso p ion on FCF a 25 °C Langmui Model F eundlich model qm (mg/g) KL (L/mg) R2K (mg/g) 1/n (L/mg) R2 8.29 0.146 0.99 0.87 0.72 0.95 Temkin Model Dubinin–Radushke ich Model AT(L/g) bT(kJ/mol) R2qm (mg/g) B E(kJ/mol) R2 5.07 0.21 0.88 3.40 9,00E-05 105.41 0,82 Sepa a ion Fac o Concen a ion (mg/L) 10 20 30 40 60 80 100 RL 0.40 0.25 0.18 0.14 0.10 0.07 0.06 Table 2 Compa ison o he maximum so p ion capaci y o FCF (qm) wi h hose epo ed in he li e a u e o ano he so ben cellulose Me al Adso ben T (°C) qm (mg/g) Re e - ence Hg (II) Diaminoguanidine unc ion- alized cellulose 25 °C 55 mg/g [64] Hg (II) Thiophene unc ionalized cellulose 25 °C 109.7 mg/g [65] Hg (II) Guanyl-modi ied cellulose 25 °C 49 mg/g [66] Hg (II) Modi ied hemp ibe s 30 °C 57 mg/g [45] Hg (II) Flax ibe s 25 °C 5.2 mg/g [25] Hg (II) FCF (Aga e Ame icana ASPARAGACEAE) 25 °C 8.29 mg/g This s udy 1 3 40 Page 18 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 Fig. 16 Pseudo i s -o de kine ic model o Hg (II) emo al by FCF 1 3 Page 19 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 las Nie es Bene icia ion Plan was ound. The collec ed samples had pH alues close o neu al, anging om 6.3 o 6.9. The conduc i i y alues a ied om 1157 µS/cm o 1463 µS/cm, exceeding he maximum accep able le el o 1000 µS/cm, indica ing an inc eased sal concen a ion. Alkalini y alues we e be ween 2.8 mg/L CaCO3 and 3.8 mg/L CaCO3, sugges ing dissolu ion o ocky ma e ial, and we e classi ied as low a below 75 mg/L CaCO3 [84]. P e-analysis o was ewa e samples om selec ed s a- ions e ealed Hg (II) concen a ions anging om 1.8 µg/L o 26.27µg/L. Physicochemical pa ame e s o he wa e samples a e lis ed in Table 7. To assess he e iciency o FCF in ield applica ions, eal samples om ou poin s we e mixed, and 10, 20, and 30 mg/L o Hg (II) we e added o o - i y he mining wa e wi h Hg (II) and o e alua e he c i ical adso p ion condi ions o FCF. The esul s in Fig. 21 dem- ons a e he high pe cen ages o Hg (II) elimina ion unde c i ical condi ions. A 10 mg/L, he expec ed adso p ion o 91% was achie ed; howe e , when 20 mg/L and 30 mg/L we e added, he FCF began o sa u a e wi h o he ions, such indica ing he eusabili y and s abili y po en ial o he FCF o Hg ion emo al by adso p ion. Addi ionally, hese indings showed ha HNO3- ea ed FCF we e mo e sui able han HCl- ea ed FCF o epea ed use. The di e ence be ween he ibe s a e acid ea men in e ms o eusabili y was possibly due o he s e ching band o he hyd oxyl (OH) g oup. The FTIR spec um (Fig. 20c) shows ha a e ea men wi h 0.10 mol/L HCl, he e is almos no p esence o (OH) g oups, p oducing losses o many FCF unc ionali ies. On he o he hand, when obse - ing he s e ch band a e ea men wi h 0.10 mol/L HNO3 (Fig. 20b), i was obse ed ha he (OH) g oups we e no signi ican ly educed, esul ing in be e eusabili y due o he g ea e p esence o ac i e si es, so ha hey in e ac in he adso p ion o Hg (II). 4.8 Holding capaci y in eal hg (II)-Fo i ied Wa e samples Samples we e collec ed om eal wa e sou ces whe e a i- sanal mining was e om he Za uma a ea o he Vi gen de Fig. 17 Pseudosecond-o de kine ic model o Hg (II) emo al by FCF 1 3 40 Page 20 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 as Cu and Pb, dec easing he capaci y o emo e Hg (II), esul ing in adso p ion a es o 83% and 57%, espec i ely. 5 Summa y esul s This s udy analyzes he adso p ion o Hg (II) a concen a- ions anging om 1.0 mg/L o 100.0 mg/L, unde empe a- u es om 25 o 45 °C and pH a ying om 1 o 9. Adso ben doses be ween 0.2 and 1.2 g we e employed, and es s we e conduc ed o e ime in e als om 5 o 120 min, all a a s i ing speed o 150 pm. The unc ionaliza ion o ique ibe was pe o med h ough NaOH ea men o enhance i s adso p ion capaci y. The unc ionalized ibe (FCF) was cha ac e ized using SEM, EDS, and FTIR. FTIR analysis e ealed bands a 1029 cm⁻¹, 1322 cm⁻¹, 1666 cm⁻¹, 2920 Table 3 Kine ic Model Pa ame e s Pseudo 1s o de model 10 mg/L 20 mg/L 30 mg/L 40 mg/L qe (mg/g) 0.124 0.092 0.187 0.142 k1(min−1) 0.0071 0.0093 0.0204 0.0242 R20.83 0.96 0.84 0.90 Pseudo 2nd o de model 10 mg/L 20 mg/L 30 mg/L 40 mg/L qe (mg/g) 0.91 1.82 2.69 5.56 K2mg/(g.min) 0.42 1.01 0.244 0.249 R20.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 Elo ich model 10 mg/L 20 mg/L 30 mg/L 40 mg/L β(mg/g) 28.25 36.23 21.88 21.79 αmg/(g.min) 1.82E + 07 3.64E + 24 2.85E + 21 9.53E + 29 R20.97 0.93 0.82 0.92 Table 4 The modynamic Pa ame e s o Hg (II) Ion Adso p ion in FCF T (K) Ln Kc ∆G0 (kJ/mol) ΔH0 (kJ/mol) ΔS0 (J/mol·K) 298 2.487 −6.16 36.29 141.98 308 2.784 −7.12 318 3.412 −9.02 Table 5 Gibbs ee ene gy o adso p ion o Hg (II) ions in FCF in ela- ion o Langmui adso p ion cons an T (K) Ln K e 0∆G0 (kJ/mol) 298 5.11 − 12.66 Fig. 18 Elo ich kine ic model o Hg (II) emo al by FCF 1 3 Page 21 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 FCF was a o ed when pH app oached 5. FCF’s adso p ion capaci y inc eased as empe a u e ose o 25, 35, and 45 °C, eaching alues o 92%, 94%, and 97%, espec i ely. Agi a- ion p o ed no o be a highly ele an ac o , achie ing 92% adso p ion wi h agi a ion and 89% wi hou i . Fo Hg (II) concen a ions o 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L, FCF adso p ion emained s able a a ound 90%, indica ing ha FCF main- ains i s adso p ion wi hou sa u a ion up o 40 mg/L. The highes me cu y adso p ion alue was 97% wi h 1.0 mg/L o me cu y. This esul was achie ed using FCF a pH 5, 240 min con ac ime, 150 pm, and 45 °C. Langmui , F eun- dlich, Temkin, and D-R iso he ms we e used o desc ibe Hg adso p ion beha io on FCF. Equilib ium da a esul s showed be e i ing o he Langmui iso he m, eaching a maximum adso p ion capaci y o 8.29 mg/g. This beha io sugges s a homogeneous dis ibu ion o ac i e si es on he adso ben su ace and he p edominance o chemical in e - ac ions du ing he adso p ion p ocess. Adso p ion kine ics we e e alua ed using pseudo- i s -o de , pseudo-second- o de , and Elo ich models. Expe imen al da a showed be e i ing o he pseudo-second-o de model, cha ac e ized by cm⁻¹, 2360 cm⁻¹, and 3370 cm⁻¹. No ably signi ican is he band a 3370 cm⁻¹, a ibu ed o di e en OH g oup s e ch- ing modes. The abundance o hyd oxyl g oups (OH) in he ibe s uc u e sugges s enhanced adso p ion capaci y. To analyze he iabili y o Hg (II) adso p ion wi h FCF, pa am- e e s such as ime, concen a ion, pH, adso ben amoun , and empe a u e we e e alua ed. The equilib ium ime o me cu y e en ion was eached wi hin he i s 2 h, achie - ing a ema kable adso p ion pe cen age o 92%. Rega ding he adso ben amoun e ec , 1.0 g o FCF was de e mined as he op imal quan i y o maximize adso p ion. Inc easing he adso ben mass abo e his alue did no esul in signi ican imp o emen in adso p ion capaci y. Me cu y adso p ion on Table 6 Reu iliza ion o unc ionalized (FCF) o Hg (II) Reusabili y Cycles Hg (II) Reco e y (%) T ea men HNO3 T ea men HCl 1 92 90 2 81 76 3 74 62 Fig. 19 Pe cen age o Hg (II) deso p ion using HCl and HNO3. Tes condi ions: 150 pm; m FCF(Hg (II)) = 1.0 g; V = 100 mL, = 8 h, = 25 °C 1 3 40 Page 22 o 27 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 achie ing h ee e ec i e euse cycles wi h HNO₃ and HCl, wi h e iciencies o 74% and 62%, espec i ely. The ob ained esul s demons a e ha FCF is e ec i e o Hg (II) emo al in bo h syn he ic aqueous solu ions and eal wa e s, posi ioning i as a iable and economical al e na i e o ea ing me cu y con amina ed wa e s. 6 Conclusions Expe imen ally, he syn he ic samples showed ha he ze o- cha ge poin o FCF was ela i ely low, indica ing a good abili y o adso b ca ions. The FCF wi h Hg (II) had an equi- lib ium ime o app oxima ely 120 min, wi h a maximum adso p ion pe cen age o 92%, and 1.0 g o adso ben and agi a ion a pH 5.0, unde s anda d condi ions. The maxi- mum adso p ion ob ained (qm) was 8.29 mg/g, which i ed he Langmui iso he m. Mo eo e , an inc ease in empe a- u e o 45 °C inc eased he adso p ion pe cen age o FCF, eaching 97% o Hg (II). The he modynamic pa ame e s a apid ini ial adso p ion a e. The modynamic pa ame e s con i med ha Hg (II) adso p ion on FCF is a spon aneous and endo he mic p ocess. The es ablished op imal condi- ions we e applied o eal wa e samples om he Vi gen de las Nie es P ocessing Plan , achie ing an adso p ion e iciency o 91% o Hg (II). The adso ben ’s egene a- ion capaci y was also e alua ed h ough deso p ion cycles, Table 7 Physicochemical pa ame e s and hea y me als p esen in eal wa e samples Vi gen de las Nie es Bene icia ion Plan Physicochemical Pa ame e s Uni M1 M2 M3 M4 Alkalini y mg/L 3.4 3.8 3.1 2.8 TDS mg/L 733.5 768.6 856.3 875.6 Conduc i i y µS/cm 1203 1157 1463 1225 pH 6.47 6.78 6.89 6.58 Tu bidi y NTU 1314 1236 1456 1025 Hea y me als Uni M1 M2 M3 M4 Me cu y (Hg (II)) µg/L 3.35 1.19 26.27 1.82 Lead (Pb) µg/L 143 3.50 - 473.3 Coppe (Cu) µg/L 2166.7 172.4 2083.26 845.6 Fig. 20 FTIR spec a o FCF (a) d ied be o e adso p ion (b) a e adso p ion and ea ed wi h ni ic acid (HNO3) (c) a e adso p ion and ea ed wi h hyd ochlo ic acid (HCl) 1 3 Page 23 o 27 40 Adso p ion (2025) 31:40 Decla a ions Compe ing in e es s The au ho s decla e no compe ing in e es s. Open Access This a icle is licensed unde a C ea i e Commons A ibu ion 4.0 In e na ional License, which pe mi s use, sha ing, adap a ion, dis ibu ion and ep oduc ion in any medium o o ma , as long as you gi e app op ia e c edi o he o iginal au ho (s) and he sou ce, p o ide a link o he C ea i e Commons licence, and indica e i changes we e made. The images o o he hi d pa y ma e ial in his a icle a e included in he a icle’s C ea i e Commons licence, unless indica ed o he wise in a c edi line o he ma e ial. I ma e ial is no included in he a icle’s C ea i e Commons licence and you in ended use is no pe mi ed by s a u o y egula ion o exceeds he pe mi ed use, you will need o ob ain pe mission di ec ly om he copy igh holde . To iew a copy o his licence, isi h p : / / c e a i e c o m m o n s . o g / l i c e n s e s / b y / 4 . 0 / . Re e ences 1. Uddin, M.K.: A Re iew on he Adso p ion o Hea y Me als by clay Mine als, wi h Special Focus on he pas Decade. 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