Adsorption of Molybdenum from Wastewater by Surface Altered Agricultural Solid Waste

Abstract

The palm fruit husk, an agricultural solid waste does not adsorb Mo(VI). The intent of this endeavor was to estimate the adsorption capacity of the SAPFH towards Mo (VI) in wastewater. Hence the surface was altered using a surface activating group, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The husk of the palm fruit, whose surface was modified, was subjected to evaluate the extent of extracting molybdenum that is present in aqueous solution. The maximal removal of molybdenum occurs at pH 2.0. The adsorbent dose necessary for the maximum adsorption of MoO42- was lesser for wastewater than for pure aqueous solutions. MoO42- took longer time to attain equilibrium at high concentrations. The stability results were suited with Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Raduskevich adsorption isotherms models. Dynamic investigation revealed that the uptake obeyed pseudo second order kinetic effigy. The adsorption of adsorbates did not change significantly with increase in temperature. Desorption of Mo (VI) showed that it is possible to retrieve Mo (VI) from the spent adsorbent. The influence of accompanying negative ions such as chloride, phosphate, sulphate and chromate on the Mo (VI) uptake was explored and the anions compete with Mo(VI) ions.