BIOSORPTION STUDIES OF CADMIUM (II) IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY MUSA PARADISIACA STALK

Abstract

This study is an investigation of the sorption of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution by Musa paradisiaca stalk through a series of batch experiments conducted under varied pH, contact time, and initial metal ion concentration. The optimum pH of sorption was found to be 7.0, at which over 85% Cd(II) adsorption efficiency was achieved. The time - dependent study shows that the sorption is rapid within the first 10 minutes and when tested on the pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models, the latter appears to be more appropriate having a linear coefficient of correlation (R²) value of 0.999 and a rate constant, k₂ of 0.123 g mg⁻¹ min⁻¹. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models are both suitable in describing the adsorbate-adsorbent relationship, however the Langmuir model gives a better fit as indicated by the R² value of 0.9823 with qₘₐₓ equal to 980.40 mg g⁻¹. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy study shows that -OH, -C=O and -C-O groups majorly make up the functionality of the biomass. The results in this study indicates that the biomass could be used for the removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous systems.