In this study, the raw seashells of Mactra aequisulcata, of class Bivalvia
and phylum Mollusca were employed as an adsorbent to remove copper (II) and
cadmium (II) metal ions from aqueous solution. The characterization of
shells was performed using FTIR, EDX and SEM, BET isotherm and point of zero
charge (pHpzc). Batch experiments were performed to assess various factors
on the biosorption efficiency. Maximum adsorption of both metals ions
conveniently found at 0.4 g L-1 adsorbent dose, pH 5 and at 303 K. Maximum
biosorption capacities for Cu2+ and Cd2+ were 59.57 and 38.12 mg g-1,
respectively. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the best fit for
the acquired equilibrium data. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters
presented that the process was feasible, exothermic and followed
pseudo-first order.
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