Abstract
The feasibility of durian tree sawdust (DTS), coconut coir (CC) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity were examined in batch experiments. The affinity and the adsorption capacity of DTS, CC and EFB were evaluated. The adsorption behaviour of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions onto DTS, CC and EFB was described using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The separation factor (RL) analysis suggests that the removal of metal ions onto three agricultural wastes studied was favourable. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 18.42, 20.37 and 22.78 mg/g for DTS, 18.38, 37.04 and 24.39 mg/g for CC, and 26.95, 37.59 and 21.19 mg/g for EFB, respectively. The characterisation studies were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The surface morphology of the biosorbents changed significantly following interaction with metal ions. The primary adsorption mechanism was complexation between metal ions and binding sites of biosorbents. Both hydroxyl and amine groups are the main binding sites in DTS, CC and EFB.
Highlights
Anthropogenic activities such as industry, agriculture and mining have significantly release excessive amounts of toxic metal ions into three compartments of the environment, namely water, air and soil
Adsorption is one of the most favourable techniques applied for water treatment, mainly because it is suitable for low concentration of metal ions and cost effective [8] [10] [12]
durian tree sawdust (DTS) was collected at Jati Cemerlang Sawmill, Selangor, coconut coir (CC) was obtained from APA Green Horticulture, Perak and empty fruit bunch (EFB) was supplied by Changkat Asa Oil Palm Estate, Perak
Summary
Anthropogenic activities such as industry, agriculture and mining have significantly release excessive amounts of toxic metal ions into three compartments of the environment, namely water, air and soil. The waste effluents from metal plating, battery manufacturing, mining and smelting are the main sources of metal ions in water environment [1]-[4]. Heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn are toxic, non-biodegradable and persist in the environment [5]-[8]. Chemical coagulation, oxidation, solvent extraction and ion exchange [4] [9] [12] [13] have been proposed for the remediation of metal contaminated water These strategies are effective in lowering metal contamination risk. Adsorption is one of the most favourable techniques applied for water treatment, mainly because it is suitable for low concentration of metal ions and cost effective [8] [10] [12]
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