Zn(II) removal with activated Firmiana Simplex leaf: Kinetics and equilibrium studies

Abstract

As is known, zinc pollution has been a public environmental issue for a long time. Accordingly, the major objective of this study is to examine the effect of activated Firmiana simplex leaf on Zn(II) removal from aqueous solution. The result shows that activated Firmiana simplex leaf can remove Zn(II) effectively at 250C due to the preservation of amine, carboxyl, and phosphate groups. Several factors were determined to have significant effects on the adsorption of Zn(II), including the adsorbent component, dosage, initial concentration, solution pH, temperature, and duration. Pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetics equations were used to predict the kinetic and thermodynamic constants that reveal the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption. Using the Langmuir model, the maximum zinc adsorption capacity was calculated to be 55.096 mg/g, which was subsequently confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared radiation (FT-IR) analyses and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.