Microwave-Assisted Mercerization of Hyphaene thebaica Fiber for the Adsorption of Pb (II) And Cu (II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Salisu A, Saleh MS
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
Cellulose can be obtained from various inexhaustible sources, therefore is considered as one of the most sustainable polymeric raw material in nature with attractive properties. In this study, Hyphaene thebaica fiber was subjected to pretreatment with sodium hydroxide solution (5% w/v) i.e. mercerization under the influence of microwave radiation (700 W). The mercerized fiber was evaluated for the adsorption of lead and copper ions (Pb2+ and Cu2+) ions from aqueous solutions using batch adsorption method. The adsorption parameters such as the effects of contact time, initial metal ion concentrations, and solution pH were investigated. It was found that maximum adsorption was observed at 80 minutes, 50 mg/L metal ion concentration and solution pH 6. The adsorption equilibrium data were tested using two isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich). The FTIR, SEM and XRD analyses showed significant evidence of the modification in the structure of the fiber after alkali pretreatment. The study also revealed that microwave-assisted pretreatment disrupts more lignin from Hyphaene thebaica fiber with shorter pretreatment period compared with the conventional alkali pretreatment. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) were 42.37 and 41.84 for Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions, respectively. Alkali pretreated Hyphaene thebaica fiber could be utilized as an inexpensive biosorbent for treatment of wastewater that contain Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions.
Affiliations: Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina State, Nigeria
Keywords: Hyphaene Thebaica, Fiber, Pretreatment, Microwave Radiation, Mercerization, Alkali
Published date: 2019/06/30
