Comparison of Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions by Various Biowastes and Granulated Activated Carbon (Only Abstract)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the ability of four biowastes, viz. cow dung ash (CDA), corn cob ash (CCA), mango stone ash (MSA) and orange peel powder (OPP) to remove Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. Results obtained from this study were compared with those for granulated activated carbon (GAC). Surface characterized was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, from which it was concluded that certain favourable fuctional groups were present on the surface of the adsorbent surface morphology with uniformity. The particle sizes were in the micrometer range for the five adsorbents used in this study. The effects of adsorbent dose, pH and initial metal ion concentration were evaluated. Langmuir as well as Freundlich adsorption models were found to be fit for relating the adsorption of Cr(VI) on all the five adsorbents used. The adsorption capacities of CDA, CCA, OPP, MSA and GAC used in this study were 5.7, 4.2, 6, 4.7 and 10.2 mg/g respectively for Cr(VI) ions at the optimum adsorbent dose.