Sorption Characteristics for Multiple Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions Using Activated Carbon from Nigerian Bamboo

Ademiluyi Falilat Taiwo,Nze Jane Chinyere

doi:10.4236/msce.2016.44005

Ademiluyi Falilat Taiwo, Nze Jane Chinyere

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/msce.2016.44005

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Abstract

Sorption characteristics of multiple adsorption of six heavy metal ions often found in refinery waste waters using activated carbon from Nigerian bamboo was investigated. The bamboo was cut, washed and dried. It was carbonized between 350℃ - 500℃, and activated at 800℃ using nitric acid. Simultaneous batch adsorption of different heavy metal ions (Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) in same aqueous solution using activated carbon from Nigerian bamboo was carried out. The adsorption process had a better fit for the Freundlich, Temkin isotherm and Dubinin-Radushke-vich (DRK) isotherm models but could not fit well into Langmuir isotherm. Adsorption isotherms showed that there is competition among various metals for adsorption sites on Nigerian bamboo. The DRK model was used to determine the nature of the sorption process and was found to be physical and chemical, with sorption energy of metal ions ranging from (7 - 10 kJ/mol). The adsorption of Cd2+, Zn2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+ ions was chemisorptions and that of Cu2+ and Cr3+ ions was cooperative adsorption. Therefore, this study revealed that Nigerian bamboo can serve as a good source of activated carbon with multiple and simultaneous metalions—removing potentials and may serve as a better replacement for commercial activated carbons in applications that warrant their use.

Highlights

Heavy or toxic metals are trace metals like mercury, nickel, lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, platinum, andHow to cite this paper: Taiwo, A.F. and Chinyere, N.J. (2016) Sorption Characteristics for Multiple Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions Using Activated Carbon from Nigerian Bamboo
The equilibrium data for the adsorption of these heavy metal ions were fitted to the Freundlich isotherm
The effectiveness of Nigerian Bamboo carbon to selectively and competitively adsorbed all the heavy metals at the same time in the same aqueous solution is seen from Figure 1

Summary

Introduction

Heavy or toxic metals are trace metals like mercury, nickel, lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, platinum, andHow to cite this paper: Taiwo, A.F. and Chinyere, N.J. (2016) Sorption Characteristics for Multiple Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions Using Activated Carbon from Nigerian Bamboo. J. Chinyere copper that are at least five times denser than water. Chinyere copper that are at least five times denser than water As such, they are stable elements and cannot be metabolized by the body. They are stable elements and cannot be metabolized by the body They can be passed into the food chain to humans via waste waters from industrial and domestic activities. Heavy metals are taken into the body via inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption. Heavy metals such as Chromium, Cadmium, lead, Copper, Zinc and Nickel are often found in refinery waste waters and are carcinogenic or toxic to the environment [1]

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