Ferric ion adsorption and electrodesorption by carbon nanotubes and nanofibres films

Carbon nanotubes and nanofibres (CNTs-CNFs) films have been grown on Ni sheets by low pressure chemical vapor deposition system and show good physical adsorption capability for ferric (Fe 3 +  ) ions. The studies of adsorption kinetics and isotherms indicate that Fe 3 +  adsorption process was regarded as first-order model and followed a Langmuir isotherm indicating monolayer adsorption. The saturated CNTs-CNFs film is easy to be regenerated by electrodesorption with direct voltage applied. The result shows that the combination of adsorption and electrodesorption by CNTs-CNFs is a promising technology to remove the Fe 3 +  contamination in solution, which can be further extended to the process of other heavy metal ions.