BACKGROUND
Naturally available biomass can be explored as a potential sorbent for recovery of precious metals. This work evaluates the sorption potential of a biosorbent developed by host soluble tannins cross‐linked Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves powder (TLS) for Pd recovery from secondary waste.
RESULTS
Batch experiments suggest 95% Pd(II) sorption by TLS is achieved over a pH range of 1–6 with a maximum of 99% at pH 2. The experimental data for Pd(II) sorption onto TLS is well explained by pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model with a monolayer sorption capacity of 46.3 mg g−1. Thermodynamic variables indicate that Pd(II) sorption onto TLS is spontaneous, endothermic, and physical in nature. TLS biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS results reveal the presence of zero‐valent Pd and mono or divalent Pd species on the TLS surface, which conclude that Pd(II) removal is governed by a sorption‐reduction mechanism.
CONCLUSIONS
The TLS is effective in Pd(II) recovery from an acid‐leached solution of monolithic ceramic capacitors (A‐MLCC) and simulated spent automobile catalyst (A‐SSAC), which suggests that this biosorbent can be used as a promising material in biotechnological processes for recovery of precious metals from secondary waste. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry