Chemical Sciences Journal

Studies on the Removal of Ni (II) from Aqueous Solutions Using Powder of Mosambi Fruit Peelings as a Low Cost Sorbent

Abstract

R Hema Krishna1, AVVS Swamy

In the present investigation, the powder of mosambi fruit peelings (PMFP) was used as an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent for Ni (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The influence of physico-chemical key parameters such as the initial metal ion concentration, pH, agitation time, particle size and adsorbent dosage has been considered in batch tests. Sorbent ability to adsorb Ni (II) ions was examined and the mechanism involved in the process investigated. The optimum results were determined at an initial metal ion concentration of 50 (mg L-1), pH=4, agitation time – 90 min, an adsorbent dose (125 mg/50 ml) and the particle size (0.6 mm). The % adsorption, Langmuir constants [Q0=29.41(mg/g) and b=0.4789(L/mg)], Freundlich constant Kf= 23.92(mg/g) and n=2.24(L/mg), Lagergren rate constants [Kad (min-1) = 4.37 x 10-2] for [Ni (II)] 50 (mg L-1), were determined for the adsorption system as a function of sorbate concentration. The equilibrium data obtained were tested using Langmuir, Freundlich adsorption isotherm models, and the kinetic data obtained were fitted to pseudo first order model.