Removal of Pb(II) from wastewater using activated carbon prepared from the seeds of Reptonia buxifolia

Abstract

The potential of activated carbon as a cheap bioadsorbent prepared from Reptonia buxifolia seeds, for the removal of Pb(II) from wastewater was investigated. The morphology and structure of the prepared activated carbon was characterized using different techniques. Adsorption phenomenon was studied by varying the metal ion concentration, contact time, temperature, and pH, in a batch process. The SEM results showed that the thermal treatment significantly altered the topography of synthesized activated carbon due to formation of numerous pores on the surface of the adsorbent. At equilibrium, the Langmuir model gave a better fit to the adsorption isotherm results than the Freundlich model. Kinetics data indicate that equilibrium is established within the first 60 min. The results showed that activated carbon obtained from seeds of R. buxifolia have the potential to be used as alternative economical biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.