Abstract

Low cost biosorbent for the removal of Cu (II) from aqueous solution

Author(s): K.China Malakondaiah, P.Kalpana, D.A.Naidu1, P.King, V.S.R.K.Prasad

In developing countries where cost is often an important factor, many studies were done to determine the effectiveness and reliable factors in removing heavy metals from waste waters using low cost adsorbent. Thus, this study was focused on hen egg shell as an alternative adsorbent in order to remove copper metal ion. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the factors affecting adsorption of copper. The operating variables studied were initial concentrations, pH, biosorbent dosage and biosorbent particle size. Equilibriumisothermdatawere analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms. The Freundlich model yields a much better fit than the other two models. In order to investigate the mechanism of sorption, kinetic data were modelled using the pseudo- first-order and pseudo-second-order equation was the best applicable model to describe the sorption process.