The mutual e ects of metal cations (Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+) and p-nitrophenol (NP) on their adsorption desorption behavior
onto wheat ash were studied. Results suggested that Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ diminished the adsorption and increased the desorption of
NP remarkably, while Cd2+ had no such e ect. In contrast, NP diminished the adsorption of Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ onto ash, however,
this suppression e ect depended on the initial concentrations of metal cations. NP had no e ect on Cd2+ adsorption on ash. Fourier
transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) studies suggested the following mechanisms responsible for the
metal suppression e ect on NP adsorption: (1) large hydrated Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ shells occupied the surface of ash and prevent
nonspecific adsorption of NP onto ash surface; (2) Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ may block the micropores of ash, resulting in decreased
adsorption of NP; (3) complexation of Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ was likely via carboxyl, hydroxylic and phenolic groups of wheat ash and
these same groups may also react with NP during adsorption. As a “soft acid”, Cd2+ is less e cient in the complexation of oxygencontaining
acid groups than Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+. Thus, Cd2+ had no e ect on the adsorption of NP on wheat ash.