Development of polyethylenimine modified Zea mays as a high capacity biosorbent for the removal of As (III) and As (V) from aqueous system

摘要

The discharge of arsenic into aquatic ecosystems has become a matter of concern in India over the last few decades. Study on the arsenic removal efficiency and the underlying mechanism is of great significance in de veloping new remediation strategies for arsenic polluted water. Here batch experiments were carried out in combination with instrumental analysis of FTIR, SEM and TGA to investigate the effects, influential factors and mechanisms of arsenic removal from aqueous solution. Modification using polyethylenimine (PEI) for the incorporation of more amino group on the biosorbent (Zea mays cob), results into the increase in percent age sorption of As (III) and As (V) up to 80.57 and 97.45% respectively. Arsenic species have chemical affinity with the amino group. Enhancement in the sorption capacity of the Zea mays cob powder is due to the in crease in the stability of the biosorbent. The findings open up new avenues in the modern technology of water treatment using biosorbents, possessing potential for commercialization.