Removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption

Abstract

Adsorptive removal of copper(II) and nickel(II) ions from aqueous solutions were attempted in this study using activated carbons prepared from waste wood shavings.Batch equilibrium adsorption experiments were carried out at room temperature to test the applicability of Freundlich, Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isotherm equations and the isotherm parameters were evaluated.Kinetic studies performed indicate that the pseudo-second order model fits the data better than first order model and the processes were controlled by particle diffusion of metal ions.Increasing solution pH resulted in increased adsorption and dilute hydrochloric acid was found to be the better desorbing medium.