Orange Peel Powder: A Potential Adsorbent for Pb(II) Ions Removal from Water
Khan Malook
Abstract
This study is about the biosorption characteristics of orange peel powder. The powder was prepared and characterized for structural and morphological properties by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The material was used for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions via batch study experiments. The effect of various parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate concentration and contact time was investigated on the adsorption characteristics of the adsorbent. The adsorption data were found to be best described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Similarly, the obtained data fitted perfectly in the Freundlich adsorption isotherm as compared to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption was found to be linear. The maximum adsorption capacity from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm was found to be 32.507 mg/g. The material was though highly selective towards Pb(II), it also showed good absorptivity characteristics for Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions. The material has outstanding potential for remediation of metal ions contaminated water.