Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from Cicer arietinum

Abstract

Removal of Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from stems and seed hulls of Cicer arietinum, an agricultural solid waste, has been studied. The influence of various parameters, such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration of metal ions on removal was evaluated. The activated carbon was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Sorption isotherms were studied using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. All experimental sorption data were fitted to the sorption models using nonlinear least-squares regression. The maximum adsorption capacity values for activated carbon prepared from Cicer arietinum waste for metal ions were 18 mg g−1 (Cu2+), 18 mg g−1 (Cd2+), 20 mg g−1 (Pb2+), and 20 mg g−1 (Zn2+), respectively. The Freundlich isotherm model fit was best, followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Desorption studies were carried out with dilute hydrochloric acid for quantitative recovery of the metal ions and for regeneration of the adsorbent.