Adsorption of PB(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Functionalized and Carbonized Groundnut Shell

Abstract

Groundnut shells were modified through functionalization and carbonization processes to produce three distinct adsorbents for adsorption of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution. Adsorption studies was carried out under varying conditions of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, metal ion concentration and temperature after the results were documented. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the adsorbents performed optimally at a pH of 11 and the adsorption process was dependent upon changes in contact time. Adsorption capacity was observed to increase with increase in adsorbent dosage and decrease with increase in lead ion concentration across all adsorbents. Highest metal ion removal was by the GS-KOHC where 239.86 mg/g of lead ion was removed from the aqueous solution followed by the GS-HCLC at 228.0750 mg/g and then the GS-TPP adsorbent was least at 179.1235 mg/g.