Open Access

ARTICLE

A Novel Plant-Based Biosorbent for Removal of Copper (II) from Aqueous Solutions: Biosorption of Copper (II) by Dried Plant Biomass

Abha Dubey^1*, Anuradha Mishra²

1 Department of Chemistry, MMH College (affiliated with CCS University Meerut, India), Ghaziabad-201009, India
2 Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Vocational Studies and Applied Sciences, Gautam Buddha University, Gautam Budh Nagar- 01306, India

*Corresponding author:

Journal of Renewable Materials 2017, 5(1), 54-61. https://doi.org/10.7569/JRM.2016.634127

Abstract

Biosorption effectively removes heavy metal ions by using inexpensive biosorbents. In this study, Portulaca oleracea plant waste biomass was used as environmentally friendly biosorbent for the removal of copper ions from aqueous solution. This article includes the study of the effects of various important parameters on the biosorption process. Maximum biosorption was found to occur under slightly acidic conditions (pH 6). Small particle size, moderate agitation speed, and moderate temperature favor the biosorption process. The Langmuir model was most suitable, showing the biosorption capacity to be 85.470 mg/g. Pseudo-secondorder model best described the kinetics of the biosorption process. Thermodynamic studies suggested the spontaneous and endothermic nature of biosorption. The results from the present study suggest that copper can be successfully removed from aqueous solution by waste portulaca plant biomass. This new biosorbent has proven to be an efficient, low-cost, environmentally friendly material.

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Keywords

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