Abstract

Adsorption Kinetics of Ni (II) and Pb (II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Husks of Irvingia Gabonensis

Author(s): Onwu K. Francis and Sonde C. Uchechukwu

The ability of an economically cheap biomaterial like bush mango ( Irvingia gabonensis ) husks for adsorption of lead (II) and nickel (II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effect of contact time on the adsorption of these metal ions was studied in a batch process. The adsorption data were correlated with pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models. Results show that pseudo second-order kinetic model correlated the experimental data well. Results further revealed that lead (II) was better adso rbed onto the biosorbent as compared to nickel (II) ions. This study shows that the adsorption process using this biosorbent could be an economical method for the removal of these metal ions from aqueous solutions and may be employed in wastewater treatment.