ADSORPTIVE REMOVAL OF LEAD ION FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING CRYSTALINE NANOCELLULOSE PREPARED FROM MAIZE COBS

Abstract

Heavy metals significantly impact the environment due to their non-biodegradable, toxic, and carcinogenic behaviors. Lead contaminants impose severe health impacts on humans and the water environment. Therefore, eco-friendly and efficient lead ion removal practices such as nanotechnology are an urgent requirement for the abatement of lead pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of lead from an aqueous solution using maize cob cellulose Nano crystals. In the present study, crystal Nano cellulose was synthesized from maize cob. The crystal Nano cellulose synthesized was characterized by using FTIR, XRD and SEM. FTIR analysis reveals presence of functional groups with a high chelating capacity, as identified via FTIR. From SEM analysis the crystal Nano cellulose was noticed to be disordered and irregular in shape. The adsorption capacity of the crystal Nano cellos was 3.85 mg/g. The adsorption process was evaluated by adjusting the pH, dose, initial concentration and temperature. Optimum conditions were dose of 0.16 gram initial concentration of 10 ppm, contact time of 115 minute, pH of 6 and temperature of 450 c. Based on the optimal parameters, the kinetics were evaluated using the pseudo first and pseudo second order models based on that pseudo second order more fit than pseudo first order model. Equilibrium data were represented better by the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model which describes multilayer adsorptions. The adsorbent-formulated from crystalline Nano cellulose presented a good capacity to remove lead from aqueous media.