Adsorption properties of metal ions using alumina nano-particles in aqueous and alcoholic solutions

Different metal ions in aqueous and alcoholic solutions were adsorbed on al umina nano-particles prepared by the sol-gel method. The flocculation of th e alumina sol was induced by the addition of different metal ions in soluti on. The flocculation kinetics was obtained by monitoring the particle growt h with time using dynamic light scattering. These experiments were carried out following two different methods: a) the multiple injection method which consist in adding small amounts of metal ions until the critical flocculat ion concentration was reached and b) single injection method where an amoun t of metal ions equal to the critical flocculation concentration is added a ll in one shot. The efficiency of metal adsorption was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.