Nickel, Lead, and Cadmium Removal Using a Low-Cost Adsorbent - Banana Peel

Abstract

Water pollution because of inorganic contaminants is a serious problem due to the acute toxicities and carcinogenic nature of pollutants. Recently, much attention has been focused on using natural and low-cost adsorbents, especially food residues, for removing toxic metal ions. Batch removal of nickel (Ni(II)), lead (Pb(II)), and cadmium (Cd(II)) from aqueous solution using a natural adsorbent is described in this study. Effects of various parameters on adsorption capacities such as pH, adsorbent dose, and stirring time were investigated by batch experiments. The maximum adsorption capacities for Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II) ions were 1.6 mg g-1 , 125 mg g-1 , and 84 mg g-1 , respectively. Characterization of the surface modification was performed with FTIR measurements. FTIR spectra showed that chemisorption takes place at the surface of the adsorbent. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were used to evaluate the equilibrium data. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm were determined. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm provided the best correlation for Ni(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) using banana peel.

Removal of As and Cd Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Biosorption Technique

“…The functional groups present in both adsorbents were most likely similar, although their intensity varied. The (O-H) groups from the polyphenols that were initially present in both adsorbents are responsible for the peak at a range of 3500-3000 cm -1 [13]. Additionally, the stretching vibration of (C-H) groups was attributed to the adsorption band at about 2900 cm -1 and (C=O) stretching vibrations are seen at their peak between1630-1800 cm -1 .…”

“…The adsorbents were then placed in hot air oven overnight at 70°C until a consistent weight was attained. After the adsorbents fully dried, they were sieved, ground using a grinder/blender to a powder of about 120 mesh, and placed in the air tight container [13].…”