Low Cost Corn Cobs-Based Magnetic Nanocomposite for Massive Adsorption of Cu(II) Ions from Aqueous Media

ABSTRACT

A low-cost corn cobs-based magnetic nanocomposite was prepared, characterised and investigated for the adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous media. Several characterisation studies were executed to confirm the formation of the adsorbent. Furthermore, the magnetic property of the prepared adsorbent was confirmed by saturation magnetisation measurements. An adsorption scenario was proposed and executed to address the optimal adsorption conditions for the removal of Cu(II) ions by the prepared adsorbent. The optimal adsorption conditions were found to be pH 6.0, 10.0 min contact time and 0.5 g/L adsorbent dose. The adsorption process was rapid with a reasonable adsorption capacity. The adsorption process was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model with pseudo-second-order kinetic. Moreover, the process is spontaneous and exothermic. Taking into account the pros of low cost, easy separation, environmental friendliness and appropriate adsorption capacity, the prepared corn cobs-based magnetic nanocomposite is an outstanding adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous media.

KEYWORDS:

• Adsorption
• nanocomposites
• heavy metals
• low cost adsorbents
• magnetic separation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).