Decontamination of Cu(II) Ion by Employing Activated Waste of Rubia Cordifolia Biomass from Aqueous Solution
Abstract
A series of bulk laboratory experiments were conducted in this study to investigate the feasibility of Rubia cordifolia based activated carbon (RC-AC) for the adsorption process of Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions. In this research work, the raw material was treated with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) for chemical activation, and after multiple washing, it underwent pyrolysis for physical activation in a muffled furnace for the preparation of activated carbon. Active functional groups present in the activated carbon were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization. scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of prepared activated carbon was also carried out. The effect of solution pH, adsorbent dose, initial Cu(II) ion concentration, contact time, temperature, and coexisting ions on Cu(II) adsorption were all examined in this investigation. All batch experiments were carried out with the help of a mechanical rotatory shaker. Equilibrium results obtained were analyzed by using various adsorption and isotherm models. It was found that the maximum decontamination capacity (qmax) of RC-AC was 1.57 mg/g, and the optimum pH found was 5. Pseudo second order model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm were best fit for Cu(II) adsorption on RC-AC. Temperature effect on metal adsorption was also performed, and a thermodynamic study was also taken into consideration. The endothermic character of Cu(II) adsorption onto prepared activated carbon is revealed by thermodynamic investigations. The paper offers a straightforward method for using biomass material in a way that adds great value later.