Utilizing Sida Acuta leaves for low-cost adsorption of chromium (VI) heavy metal with activated charcoal
S.M. Ramraj, Attar Kubaib, Predhanekar Mohamed Imran, M.K. Thirupathy
Abstract
The research aimed to investigate the adsorption of the heavy metal Chromium (VI) using activated charcoal made from Sida Acuta plant leaves as an adsorbent. Various parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature, time and initial metal ion concentration were studied to determine the most efficient conditions for adsorption. It was found that the maximum adsorbing efficiency was achieved at a pH of 2, which was more effective than commercially available activated carbon. All batch adsorption experiments were completed within 60 minutes. The experimental data was compared to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. To evaluate the surface morphology and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent, FTIR, SEM-EDX and XRD were used. Those techniques helped to study the influence of powdered activated charcoal (PAC) on Cr (VI) removal. The activated carbons were characterized before and after Chromium (VI) exposure to confirm chromium adsorption. The XRD results were consistent with the presence of chromium species on the surface of the adsorbent.