ADSORPTIVE REMEDIATION OF CHROMIUM (VI) AND COPPER (II) IONS ONTO MICROWAVE ASSISTED PHOSPHORIC ACID ACTIVATED CARBON PREPARED FROM AERIAL ROOT OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS L

Abstract

The research was conducted with an aim to assess the efficiency of phosphoric acid activated carbon prepared from Aerial root of Ficus Benghalensis L as an adsorbent in removing Cr(VI) and Cu(II). The effects of different system variables, viz, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration, pH and contact time were studied. The results showed that as the amount of the adsorbent was increased, the percentage of metal ion removal increased accordingly. Optimum pH value for metal adsorption is determined as 2.0 for Cr(VI) and 4.0 for Cu(II) ions. Maximum metal is sequestered in 180 min for both ions after the beginning of every experiment. The adsorption of metal ions followed a Pseudo second order rate equation. Freundlich adsorption model is suitable for describing the sorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) on PAC. Furthermore, the natural organic matter is characterized by FTIR specra. The removal efficiency of PAC from Aerial root of Ficus benghalensis L is Cr(VI) > Cu(II).