title: Adsorption of Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) in a binary aqueous solution by biosorbents derived from sawdust and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).
abstract: The Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) adsorption capacities of six biosorbents derived from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (WH) and sawdust (SD) were investigated, with activated carbon as the control. The biosorbents were raw biomass (WH, SD), charred WH (BWH) and SD and sulphonated bio-chars of WH and SD. The effect of the initial solution pH and Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) concentrations on adsorption capacity was studied, and adsorption isotherms for Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) evaluated. The initial solution pH significantly influenced adsorption (p < 0.05) but the relationship was generally nonlinear. Zn(2+) suppressed Ni(2+) adsorption on all biosorbents. The adsorption capacities of the biosorbents were statistically (p ≤ 0.05) similar to or higher than that of activated carbon. The effects of pyrolysis and bio-char sulphonation on adsorption were inconsistent and dependent on biomass type; in most cases bio-char was a better biosorbent than the original biomass, while sulphonation resulted in less or comparable adsorption. Adsorption data obeyed at least one of three isotherms (linear, Langmuir and Freundlich) (r(2) = 0.90-0.995, p < 0.05). The study revealed that low-cost biosorbents may be used as alternatives to activated carbon in applications including selective separation of Zn(2+) from multi-metal ion solutions containing Ni(2+), and water and wastewater treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe E-mail: wgwenzi@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Willis
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gwenzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe E-mail: wgwenzi@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Tinashe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Musarurwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe E-mail: wgwenzi@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nyamugafata
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science & Engineering, Harare Institute of Technology, Box BE277, Belvedere, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Nhamo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaukura
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811, USA.
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaparadza
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Sharron
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mbera
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D031806:Eichhornia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal; D002244:Carbon; D009532:Nickel; D015032:Zinc