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Biosorption potential of a novel powder, prepared from Ficus auriculata leaves, for sequestration of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions

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Abstract

A novel biosorbent, powdered Ficus auriculata leaves (FALP), has been used to remove hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by use of a batch technique. The biosorbent was characterized by surface area analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects on adsorption of pH, initial Cr(VI) ion concentration, amount of FALP, agitation speed, and temperature were investigated. Equilibrium data from the biosorption study were evaluated by use of two and three-variable isotherm models. The equilibrium data were better fitted by use of a three-variable isotherm model. The kinetics of biosorption were examined by use of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and an intraparticle diffusion model. The biosorption data were best fit by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic investigation revealed that biosorption of hexavalent chromium ions by FALP is spontaneous in nature, endothermic, and results in increased randomness. The study suggests that FALP could be used as a potential biosorbent for removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewaters.

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Abbreviations

A T :

Temkin isotherm equilibrium binding constant (L/mg)

a RP :

Redlich–Peterson model constant (L/mg)

a :

Koble–Corrigan isotherm constant (mg/g) (L/mg)n

b :

Koble–Corrigan isotherm constant (L/mg)n

n :

Koble–Corrigan variable

b T :

Temkin isotherm constant (J/mol)

b L :

Langmuir isotherm constant (L/mg)

C i :

Initial Cr(VI) concentration (mg/L)

C e :

Cr(VI) concentration in solution at equilibrium (mg/L)

E :

Mean adsorption energy E (kJ/mol)

g :

Redlich–Peterson model exponent

k f :

Freundlich isotherm constant (mg/g)/(mg/L)1/n

K :

Coefficient related to the mean free energy of adsorption (mol2/kJ2)

K E :

Elovich equilibrium constant (L/mg)

K j :

Jovanovic isotherm constant (L/g)

K RP :

Redlich–Peterson model isotherm constant (L/g)

K s :

Sips equilibrium constant (L/mg)m

k 1 :

Pseudo-first-order rate constant(L/min)

k 2 :

Pseudo-second-order rate constant (g/mg min)

k id :

Intraparticle diffusion rate constant (mg/g min1/2)

k c :

Equilibrium constant

m :

Amount of biosorbent (g)

m s :

Sips model exponent

n F :

Adsorption intensity

Q 0 :

Monolayer coverage capacity(mg/g)

Q m :

Maximum adsorption capacity (mg/g) in D-R model

q m :

Elovich maximum adsorption capacity (mg/g)

q mj :

Maximum adsorption capacity in Jovanovic model (mg/g)

q ms :

Sips maximum biosorption capacity (mg/g)

q e :

Amount of Cr(VI) ions adsorbed per unit mass of biosorbent (mg/g)

R :

Gas constant (8.314 J/mol K)

R L :

Separation factor

V :

Volume of the solution (L)

ΔG° :

Gibbs free energy (kJ/mol)

ΔH° :

Enthalpy (kJ/mol)

ΔS° :

Entropy (J/mol K)

ε :

Polanyi potential

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Acknowledgments

Financial support by The Department of Science and Technology, India (grant no. SB/FTP/ETA-356/2012) is gratefully acknowledged. The authors wish to thank the editors for their valuable comments and suggestions which improved the quality of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kozhikode, 673601, Kerala, India

    S. Rangabhashiyam, E. Nakkeeran, N. Anu & N. Selvaraju

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  1. S. Rangabhashiyam
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  2. E. Nakkeeran
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  3. N. Anu
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  4. N. Selvaraju
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Correspondence to N. Selvaraju.

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Rangabhashiyam, S., Nakkeeran, E., Anu, N. et al. Biosorption potential of a novel powder, prepared from Ficus auriculata leaves, for sequestration of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions. Res Chem Intermed 41, 8405–8424 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-014-1900-6

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