Author(s)

PRAISEGOD CHIDOZIE EMENIKE, DAVID O. OMOLE, BEN U. NGENE, IMOKHAI T. TENEBE, OMEJE MAXWELL

Abstract

The adoption of agricultural waste materials in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated waters has gained more recognition in recent times. This study capitalizes on the production of adsorbents from one of the predominant agricultural waste materials (Plantain Peel) in Ado-Odo Ota, to access its metal-removal efficiency. This work investigated Cu²⁺ adsorption using activated carbon processed from chemically modified unripe plantain (Musa paradisiaca) peel. Adsorption studies were performed using batch experiments wherewith the influence of pH of the solution, initial concentration, temperature and contact time have been cross-examined. The results displayed a 99.8% removal efficiency of Cu²⁺ at pH 7.5, 30°C and 150 mg/L concentration. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of unripe Musa paradisiaca peel has been obtained using linear models of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The result is poised to elucidate the metal retention mechanism as a process involving ion exchange as the divalent metal ion binds to the activated unripe plantain peel.

Keywords

plantain peel, copper, heavy metal, adsorption, activated carbon