Adsorptive Removal of Potentially Toxic Elements From Wastewater Using Peanut Shells Biochar

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of the peanut shell biochar that prepared by physical activation using pyrolysis process at 550°C as a low cost adsorbent for metal ions removal from wastewater. The biochar surface morphology, chemical functional groups and the porous structure were investigated by SEM, FTIR and BET method respectively. Different parameters that affect the metal ions adsorption were taken in consideration during adsorption experiments. These parameters included pH value (3 – 8), initial metal concentration (5 – 100mg/l), biochar dose (0.5 – 4g), contact time (5 – 240 min) and temperature (25 – 60°C). The results showed that the optimum metal ions adsorption conditions were pH 6, metal concentration 20mg/l, biochar dose 2.5g, 60min of contact time and 60°C of solution temperature. The adsorbent removal efficiency for the studied metal ions exceeded 80% from the total metal concentration. The obtained results confirmed the efficiency of the biochar from peanut shell as an active adsorbent for metal ions removal from aqueous solutions.