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Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies on biosorption of Cd(II) from aqueous solution by biochar

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Abstract

The present investigation describes the use of biochar derived from an agricultural waste: the maize cob for the biosorption of Cd(II) ion. The biochar was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, surface area analysis, and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Batch experiments were performed to investigate the effects of parameters such as pH (2.0–8.0), dosage (0.2–1.2 g), contact time (5–300 min), initial metal concentration (10–100 mg L−1), and temperature (20–50 °C). Kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order model, with the q e (cal) value (17.21 mg g−1) closer to the q e (exp) value (18.82 mg g−1). The adsorption data conforms best to the Langmuir isotherm as revealed by the lower non-linear Chi square (χ 2) value of 0.15 and a higher correlation value of 0.98 when compared to the Freundlich with a high χ 2 value of 2.65 and lower correlation value of 0.96. The maximum adsorption capacity for the biochar was 33.0 mg g−1. The thermodynamic parameters ΔG 0, ΔS 0 and ΔH 0 confirmed that the biosorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The results obtained suggest that using a low-cost biochar biosorbent for removing trace metals in contaminated water treatment plants may have great ecological and environmental significance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe, for providing facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe

    Mambo Moyo, Sikwila Thokozani Lindiwe, Edith Sebata, Benias Chomunorwa Nyamunda & Upenyu Guyo

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  1. Mambo Moyo
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  2. Sikwila Thokozani Lindiwe
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  3. Edith Sebata
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  4. Benias Chomunorwa Nyamunda
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  5. Upenyu Guyo
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Correspondence to Mambo Moyo.

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Moyo, M., Lindiwe, S.T., Sebata, E. et al. Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies on biosorption of Cd(II) from aqueous solution by biochar. Res Chem Intermed 42, 1349–1362 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-015-2089-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-015-2089-z

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