Adsorption and Removal of Zinc (II) from Aqueous Solution Using Peepal (Ficus religiosa) Leaf Derived Carbon

Abstract

Abstract-The present work is an attempt to determine the feasibility and reliability of Peepal (Ficus religiosa) Leaf Derived Carbon utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of zinc (II) from aqueous solution. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial metal ionconcentration and contact time on the adsorption process with respect to the zinc (II) removal were investigated. The optimum conditions obtained were 30 min contact time, 0.8g adsorbent dose, 45 0 C, 0.12M Zn and pH 7 for zinc removal. Experimental equilibrium data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results obtained from the experimental work showed that biomass carbon derived from peepal leaves are transformed into adsorbent for removing metal ions from the aqueous solution. Peepal leaf carbon show promising results in removing zinc (II) from aqueoussolution, thus this material could be used as low cost adsorbent to replace the expensive commercial activated carbon during adsorption process.