REMOVAL OF METAL IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING PYROLYZED RICE HUSKS: ADSORPTION KINETICS AND EQUILIBRIA

Abstract

Four carbon/silica-containing materials obtained by pyrolysis of rice husks were characterized and their adsorption properties towards some metal ions were evaluated. GC/MS analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy were applied for identification of functional groups finely dispersed on the surface. Their amounts were gravimetrically determined after extraction with acetone. The specific surface area and porosity of the materials were characterized by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method and by mercury porosimetry, respectively. The adsorption properties of the carbonized rice husks towards Fe(III), Pb(II), Cr(III), and Cu(II) ions in single- and multicomponent aqueous solutions also containing Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II), and Cd(II) were studied in a batch system. The effects of contact time, acidity of initial solutions, and metal ion concentrations were followed. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were used to analyze kinetic data. Equilibrium experimental data were fitted to linear Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum adsorption capacities for single- and multicomponent adsorption were calculated and compared with literature data. A correlation between the adsorption properties of pyrolyzed rice husks and their textural and surface parameters was established. Possibilities for desorption of the investigated ions were estimated.

Keywords:

• Adsorption
• Agricultural waste
• Heavy metals
• Pyrolysis
• Rice husks

Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the National Centre for New Materials UNION (Contract No DCVP-02/2/2009).