TITLE:
Biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Selected Waste Materials: Adsorption and Characterisation Studies
AUTHORS:
Wiwid Pranata Putra, Azlan Kamari, Siti Najiah Mohd Yusoff, Che Fauziah Ishak, Azmi Mohamed, Norhayati Hashim, Illyas Md Isa
KEYWORDS:
Adsorption; Characterisation; Metal Ions; Coconut Tree Sawdust; Eggshell; Sugarcane Bagasse
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Encapsulation and Adsorption Sciences,
Vol.4 No.1,
March
7,
2014
ABSTRACT: The efficacy of coconut tree sawdust (CTS),
eggshell (ES) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as alternative low-cost biosorbents
for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch adsorption studies were carried out
to evaluate the effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on
adsorption capacity. The optimum biosorption condition was found at pH 6.0, 0.1
g biomass dosage and at 90 min equilibrium time. The adsorption data
were fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The adsorption
capacity and affinity of CTS, ES and SB were evaluated. The Freundlich constant
(n) and separation factor (RL) values suggest that the
metal ions were favourably adsorbed onto biosorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm
model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and
Zn(II) were 3.89, 25.00 and 23.81 mg/g for CTS, 34.48, 90.90 and 35.71 mg/g for
ES, and 3.65, 21.28 and 40.00 mg/g for SB, respectively. The characterisation studies were performed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy
Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
(FTIR). Interaction with metal ions led to the formation of discrete aggregates
on the biosorbents surface. The metal ions bound to the active sites of the
biosorbents through either electrostatic attraction or complexation mechanism.