A Novel Agricultural Waste Adsorbent, Watermelon Shell for the Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Abstract:The present study deals with the application of Watermelon Shell, an agricultural waste, for the adsorptive removal of Cu(II) from its aqueous solutions. This paper incorporates the effects of time, dose, temperature, concentration, particle size, agitation speed and pH. Analytical techniques have been employed to find pore properties and characteristics of adsorbent materials. Batch kinetic and isotherm studies have also been performed to understand the ability of the adsorbents. The adsorption behavior of the Cu(II) has been studied using Freundlich, Langmuir and Tempkin adsorption isotherm models. The monolayer adsorption capacity determined from the Langmuir adsorption equation has been found as 111.1 mg/g. Kinetic measurements suggest the involvement of pseudo-second-order kinetics in adsorptions and is controlled by a particle diffusion process. Adsorption of Cu(II) on adsorbents was found to increase on decreasing initial concentration, increasing pH up to 8, increasing temperature, increasing agitation speed and decreasing particle size. Overall, the present findings suggest that watermelon outer shell is environmentally friendly, efficient and low-cost biosorbent which is useful for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous media.

Removal of Heavy Metals from Industrial Waste Water by Biomass-Based Materials: A Review

“…Cd (II), Cu (II), [45] Ni (II) Maloc and Nuhoglu [47] Cr(VI) Maloc and Nuhoglu [48] Pretreated rice husk Cd (II) Kumar and Bandyopadhyay [46] Grape stalk wastes Cu (II), Ni (II) Villaescusa et al [50] Dehyrated wheat stalk Cu (II) Ozer and Ozer [49] Potato peels Cu (II) Amana et al [95] Maize cob and husk Zn (II), Cd (II) and Pb (II) Igwe et al [96] Pb (II) Abdel-Ghani et al [97] Water melon shell Cu (II) Banerjee et al [98] Cork powder Zn (II) Kanawade and Gaikwad [99] Tobacco stem Cr(VI) Sheth et al…”

A Novel Approach for the Removal of Lead(II) Ion from Wastewater Using Mucilaginous Leaves of Diceriocaryum eriocarpum Plant

“…Several adsorbents from plant origin have been used and modified for heavy metal removal from wastewater and aqueous solution which include: maize tassels [15,16], watermelon shell [17], coffee beans [18], coconut shell [19], peanut shell [20], Annona squamosa shell [21], rice husks [22], rice bran [10], orange peels [23], sunflower stem [13], groundnut shells [12] and avocado seed [24]. The use of mucilage extracted from plant materials and parts of mucilaginous plants for heavy metals remediation has been recently reported [25][26][27].…”

Efficacy of Mangrove (Rhizophora Mucronata) Roots Powder in Adsorption of Lead (II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions: Equilibrium and Kinetics Studies

“…[24] argued that higher temperatures improve the elimination of heavy metals owing to an increase in its surface activity and kinetic energy. In the same way, [26] also observed that the adsorption of Pb (II) and Cd (II) by the stalk sponge of maize increased 1.1-1.8 times with increasing temperature from 20 to 40 0 C. [27] reported similar observation in case of adsorption of Cu (II) by watermelon shell In contrast, [28] found that the adsorption of Cd (II) by cashew nut shell decreased from 80.13 % to 74.32 % with the rise in temperature from 30 º C to 60 º C. They attributed this to the decrease in surface activity of adsorbent. Similar trend was noticed by [29] in case of Zn (II), Cd (II) and Mn (II) adsorption onto maize stalks.…”