Novel acid treated biomass: Applications in Cu${}^{\mathbf{2+}}$ scavenging, Rhodamine B/Cu${}^{2+}$ binary solution and real textile effluent treatment

Highlights

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Potent adsorbent prepared from Irvingia gabonensis waste was used for the removal of Cu${}^{2+}$ from aqueous solution.

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Prepared adsorbent was used for Cu${}^{2+}$/RhB binary solution and real textile effluent treatments.

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Optimum Cu${}^{2+}$ adsorption was obtained at pH 5.5.

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Maximum monolayer sorption capacity for Cu${}^{2+}$ adsorption was 103.09 mg/g.

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Each component of the binary solution synergistically aided the removal of the other.

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Prepared adsorbent was effective in real textile effluent treatment with 100% removal of some effluent organic component.

Abstract

A novel adsorbent prepared from the waste of Irvingia gabonensis nut (ADN) was used for scavenging of Cu${}^{2+}$ from aqueous solution. Various adsorption operational parameters were investigated in order to establish the behavior of ADN before further studies. The efficacy of ADN in concurrent removal of rhodamine B (RhB) dye and Cu${}^{2+}$ in a binary solution of RhB/Cu${}^{2+}$ was also investigated. Finally the potency of ADN in the treatment of real textile effluent was ascertained. Optimum adsorption of Cu${}^{2+}$ occurred at pH of 5.5 and high temperature favoured Cu${}^{2+}$ removal. Pseudo second order kinetic best described the uptake of Cu${}^{2+}$ onto ADN. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was obtained to be 103.09 mg/g. The Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm as well as thermodynamic parameter suggests that adsorption of Cu${}^{2+}$ onto ADN was chemical in nature. Percentage removal of Cu${}^{2+}$ in single solution at optimum time was 94.70 % while synergistic effect of RhB moved this to 99.54 % removal in the binary solution. ADN was highly efficient for the removal of dye and other organic pollutants in the real textile effluent with 100 % removal of some organic pollutant.