Adsorption of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) onto Treated Shorea dasyphylla Bark: Isotherm, Kinetics, and Thermodynamic Studies

Abstract

The efficacy of treated Shorea dasyphylla bark for Cu(II) and Cr(VI) adsorption was assessed in a batch adsorption system as a function of pH, agitation period, and initial metal concentration. The equilibrium nature of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) adsorption was described by the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The maximum monolayer capacities of treated Shorea dasyphylla bark, estimated from the Langmuir equation were 184.66 and 42.72 mg/g for Cu(II) and Cr(VI), respectively. The experimental results were fitted using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models; the pseudo-second order showed the best conformity to the kinetic data. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH°), free energy change (ΔG°) and entropy change (ΔS°) were determined by applying the Van't Hoff equation. The adsorption of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) onto treated Shorea dasyphylla bark was found to be spontaneous and exothermic. The adsorption mechanism was confirmed by means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The dimensionless constant separation factor (R L), indicated that treated Shorea dasyphylla bark was favorable for Cu(II) and Cr(VI) adsorption.