Potential of nanoscale size zero valent iron nanoparticles impregnated activated carbon prepared from palm kernel shell for cadmium removal to avoid water pollution

ABSTRACT

In this research, the palm kernel shell activated carbon (PKSAC) was prepared and it was impregnated with nano-scale size zero valent iron (PKSAC-nZVI) for the removal of cadmium [Cd(II)] ions from aquatic system. Batch adsorption experiments have been done with operating variables such as amount of Cd(II) ions, dosage, pH, thermal effect, interaction time were optimised. The prepared sorbent PKSAC-nZVI was explained with various characterisation techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The data analysed with different isotherm and kinetic models. Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.997) yielded good results for the elimination of cadmium ions by PKSAC-nZVI. The findings also revealed that the data was well matched with pseudo-second kinetic model (R² = 0.985). PKSAC-nZVI’s maximum capacity for Cd(II) was measured as 425.4 mg/g according to Langmuir model. Thermodynamic tests for Cd(II) ions adsorption were exothermic, spontaneous and feasible. The results revealed that sorbent prepared from agriculture waste PKSAC-nZVI can be an exceptionally encouraging adsorbent for removing Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution.

KEYWORDS:

• Activated carbon: adsorption
• impregnation
• isotherms
• kinetics
• thermodynamics
• toxic metals

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.