Comparative Study of Coconut Shell and Palm Kernel Shell Biomass as Adsorbents for Sorption of Pb~(2+) from Aqueous Solution

摘要

A comparative study of the sorption of Pb~(2+) from aqueous solution using coconut and palm kernel shells was investigated. The morphological features of the shells were studied using the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic batch adsorption experiments were carried out by the concentration, time and temperature effects respectively. The morphological images of the shells showed irregular small size particles which indicated a high surface area and porosities that facilitated sorption. The adsorption studies recorded relatively rapid uptake of Pb~(2+) by the shells which were mainly kinetic controlled and followed a second order process. The thermodynamic studies suggested relatively low temperature (low energy) favoured sorption which was exothermic with both physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms for both shells.