Abstract
A novel adsorbent was developed from mature leaves of the Neem tree (Azadirachta Indica) for removing metal ions from water. The adsorbent, in the form of fine powder, was found to be very effective in removing chromium (VI) from aqueous solution. The adsorption was carried out in a batch process taking different concentrations of the metal ion in aqueous solution with variation in adsorbent amount, pH, agitation time and temperature. The suitability of the adsorbent was tested with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and with various equilibrium kinetic data. A small amount of the Neem Leaf Powder (NLP) (1.6 g dm−3) could remove as much as 87% of Cr (VI) in 300 min from a solution of concentration 14.1 mg dm−3 at 300 K. The optimum range of pH for the adsorption process was 4.5–7.5 and since the natural pH of the Cr (VI) solution was 5.5, no addition of acid or alkali was necessary for achieving maximum adsorption. The adsorption coefficients indicated a high potentiality for the NLP to be used as an adsorbent for removing Cr (VI) from water.
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Sharma, A., Bhattacharyya, K.G. Adsorption of Chromium (VI) on Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Leaf Powder. Adsorption 10, 327–338 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-005-4818-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-005-4818-x