International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org, editorijaiem@gmail.com
Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2013
ISSN 2319 - 4847
REMOVAL OF COPPER (II) FROM AQUEOUS
SOLUTION AND WASTE WATER BY
PROSOPIS JULIFLORA LEAF POWDER BY
ADSORPTION
Sureshkumar Halnor¹ Maqdoom Farooqui2 and Milind Ubale3*
¹Department of Chemistry Padmashri Doctor Vithalrao Vikhe Patil College of Engineering Ahmednagar (M.S.) India.
2
Post graduate and Research Centre Maulana Azad College Aurangabad (M.S.) India
3
*Post graduate Department of Chemistry Vasantrao Naik Mahavidyalaya Aurangabad (M.S.) India
3
*Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
Prosopis Juliflora Leaf Powder (PJLP) treated with nitric acid and used as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of copper ions
from aqueous solution and industrial waste water. The effect of temperature, pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and initial
concentration of adsorbate were studied for the removal of copper (II) by PJLP. Batch experiments were carried for adsorption
kinetics and isotherms. Adsorption capacity found to be enhanced by increasing temperature and adsorbent dose. Equilibrium
data were well represented by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm model for all tested adsorption systems. Beside these the
Thermodynamic study has showed that the Cu (II) adsorption phenomenon onto PJLP was favorable and spontaneous.
Applicability of adsorbent was tested for the removal of Cu (II) from industrial waste water and the results obtained were
encouraging.
Keywords: Adsorption, Low cost material, Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm.
1. INTRODUCTION
Industries use chemicals like metals and dyes etc. for different purposes. Now a day metals found in industrial effluent
are beyond permissible limit which may be attributed to improper treatment process, non-degradable and creates
disposal problems. Hence it has become an alarming environmental problem and systematic investigation has to be
carried to remove heavy metals from waste water. The discharge effluents from chemical industries, electroplating,
tanning industries etc. contains heavy metals like Zinc, Copper, Chromium, Nickel, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic etc.
[1]-[3].Copper the metal considered in the present study, may be found as contaminant in food, especially shellfish,
liver, mushroom, nuts, chocolate etc.[3].
Copper has three common oxidation states Cu (0) (metal), Cu (I) (cuprous) and Cu (II) (cupric).The main species of
concern in aqueous solution is Cu (II) [4], but beyond permissible limit it is carcinogenic, causes gastrointestinal
problems also it can cause headaches, fatigue, and depression, skin rashes, learning disorders and even lead to
accumulation in the kidneys, brain, skin, pancreas and heart [5], therefore, they must be removed from industrial waste
water.
Toxic metals can be removed by ion exchange, precipitation, reverse osmosis, evaporation, and electrodilysis etc. These
methods were found unaffordable in India for removal of heavy metals due to operational difficulties and high
treatment expenditure. Activated carbon is the most widely used adsorbent but commercially available activated
carbons are very expensive.
Adsorption using low cost adsorbents is one of the effective and economic methods [6], [7]. Various low cost adsorbents
like brick kiln ash, tea waste, Ravi river sand and egg shells have been used for the removal of heavy metals
[8].Literature survey reveals that the use of PJLP as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous
solutions and industrial waste water has not been reported. Thus in the present study the systematic work was carried to
investigate the adsorption properties of PJLP for the removal of Cu (II).
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org, editorijaiem@gmail.com
Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2013
ISSN 2319 - 4847
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1 Preparation of adsorbent
Adsorbent used for the present study was Prosopis Juliflora which is locally available plant and was collected in
Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. The sample leaves were dried in shadow, avoiding direct sunlight on them. The
dried plant leaves of PJ were grinded into powder and washed with distilled water and filtered. The residue left was
treated with very dilute solution of nitric acid (0.1 N). It was then stirred for half an hour vigorously using mechanical
stirrer at room temperature and filtered, washed with distilled water repeatedly to remove free acid. After chemical
treatment the residue was dried first in air and finally in oven at 90-1000C for 8-10 hours and powdered using electric
grinder. The homogeneous powder was passed through mesh for desired particle size. The adsorbent once prepared was
used throughout the experimental work.
2.2 Preparation of Cu (II) metal ion solution
Cu (II) prepared by dissolving cupric sulphate in double distilled water. The chemicals used were of analytical grade
and used without further purifications. The solutions were prepared in doubly distilled water. A distilled water prepared
by using first metal distillation unit and then all quick fit glass assembly in permanganatic condition, wherever
necessary the prepared solutions were standardized as per literature [9].
Industrial waste water samples were collected from MIDC area of Ahmednagar.
2.3 Adsorption experiments
Adsorption study was carried out by using nitric acid treated PJLP and Copper ion solution under different conditions
at maximum time 60 minutes. Copper was determined using spectrophotometer [10], [11] (SL-159 ELICO UVVISIBLE SPECTROPHOTOMETER).
Copper from Industrial waste water was determined using AAS (LABINDIA AA 7000, Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer) before adsorption experiments and using spectrophotometer [10],[11] (SL-159 ELICO UVVISIBLE SPECTROPHOTOMETER) after the adsorption experiments.
After batch experiments percentage adsorption of Cu (II) from aqueous solution and industrial waste water were
computed,
% Adsorption = (CI-CF) / CI*100
Where,CI and CF are the initial and final Cu (II) concentrations respectively.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The experimental data obtained from the different batch experiments, in the present investigation was analyzed and
interpreted based on the adsorption of Cu (II) onto the surface of PJLP.
3.1 Effect of contact time
The effect of contact time was studied at 1 g of adsorbent, room temperature (303 K) and different time. The adsorption
percentage increases with increase in time. (Fig.1).Time taken for the completion of adsorption was 60 minutes. It was
in good agreement with the reported work of Rao et.al. [12]. The equilibrium contact time was 60 minutes. Ions diffuse
to surface and in to the pores of PJLP which have very large number of surface area. When the time increased more
than 60 minute remaining ions adsorbed or diffused into the pore could be saturated, the affinity of metals adsorbed
will decrease. Thus, the affinity of metal adsorbed is depending upon appropriate time. Therefore the contact time 60
minutes was selected in all experiments which were in good agreement with the reported work of Tangiuank et.al. [13]
The first and second order equations were used to test the experimental data.
In pseudo –first order kinetic model a simple kinetics of adsorption given by Lagergren rate equations [14] were as,
qe /dt=k1 (qe-qt)
…………………………….. (1)
The integrated form is, log (qe-qt) = log qe-k1/2.303* t …………………...………… (2)
Where qe and qt represent the amount of Cu adsorbed (mg/g) at equilibrium time and at time t(min) respectively,
k1represents the first order rate constant (min-¹). Plot of log (qe-qt) versus t is linear with R² = 0.951(Fig.1.a)
In second order adsorption kinetics, the plot of t/qt versus t was also found to be linear with R² = 0.979 (Fig.1.b) .The
present studies reveal that adsorption of Cu (II) onto the surface of PJLP followed second order kinetic model.
80
75
% Removal
70
65
60
55
50
0
20
40
60
80
1 00
1 20
T im e ( M i n . )
Figure.1 Effect of contact time on removal of Cu (II)
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Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2013
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0 .8
0 .7
0 .6
log (qe-qt)
0 .5
0 .4
0 .3
0 .2
0 .1
0 .0
10
20
30
40
50
t
Figure.1 (a) First order reaction
3 .5
3 .0
t/qt
2 .5
2 .0
1 .5
1 .0
0 .5
10
20
30
40
50
t
Figure.1 (b) Second order reaction
3.2 Effect of temperature
Adsorption as the effect of temperature was carried out in different temperature range (293-333 K) and remaining
parameters were kept constant and found that adsorption increases with increase in temperature (Fig.2).Adsorption
equilibrium is a thermo-dependent process it may be attributed increased temperature which increases the kinetic
energy of the metal ions and thus weakening the forces of attraction between the metal ions and the adsorbent (PJLP)
[15].
Temperature plays a major role in the adsorption of heavy metals on the surface of adsorbent and has two major effects
on the adsorption process, increase in the temperature increases the rate of adsorbate diffusion across the external
boundary layer and in the internal pores of the adsorbate particles as the liquid viscosity decreases with increase in
temperature and other affects the equilibrium capacity of the adsorbate [16], [17].
The increase in adsorption at higher temperature during the present investigation may be attributed to acceleration of
some originally slow steps, creation of new activation sites on adsorbent surface, decrease in the size of adsorbing
species, this could well occur due to progressive dissolution of the metal ions as the solution temperature increases. Our
findings are in good agreement with the findings of different researchers [18], [19].
88
86
% Removal
84
82
80
78
76
29 0
3 00
31 0
3 20
33 0
3 40
T e m p .(k )
Figure.2 Effect of temperature on removal of Cu (II)
3.3 Effect of adsorbent dose
Effect of adsorbent dose plays an important role in standardizing the adsorption process with quantification of
adsorbate solution and the adsorbent. In our present investigation with increase in the amount of adsorbent the removal
efficiency increased rapidly (Fig.3) which may be attributed to the greater availability of the exchangeable sites or
surface areas at higher concentration of the adsorbent. Our findings are in good support with Srinivas et.al.[20]
andHussein.et.al.[21]
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
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Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2013
ISSN 2319 - 4847
80
75
% Removal
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
0 .2
0 .4
0 .6
0 .8
1 .0
D o s e (g m )
Figure.3 Effect of adsorbent dose on removal of Cu (II)
3.4 Effect of pH
pH is one of the most important factor in controlling the uptake of heavy metals from wastewater and aqueous solution
[22]. In order to establish the effect of pH on the adsorption of copper ions, the batch equilibrium was studied at
different pH values. According to Fig.4, the amount of metal adsorbed increases with increasing pH. At a low pH
adsorption of copper was less; the H+ ions are much larger than ions of copper on the surface of the powder which
limits the access of copper ions on the surface of grains of the adsorbent. When the pH increases, the effect of
competition from H+ ions decreases and the positive charged ions take their place on the surface [23]-[25].
86
84
82
% Removal
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
2
3
4
5
P
6
7
H
Figure.4 Effect of pH on removal of Cu (II)
3.5 Effect of initial concentration of adsorbate
The adsorption of copper onto the surface of PJLP was rapid initially, slows down later on and finally reached towards
equilibrium indicating saturated adsorption. The increased in adsorption may be attributed to increase in surface
activity and due to micelle formation or the aggregation of copper ions in the concentration range studied. The
percentage removal of Copper has shown significant decrease with the increase in the initial concentration of adsorbate
(Fig.5). Our findings are in good agreement with the reported work of Jambulingam et.al. [26]
81
80
% Removal
79
78
77
76
75
74
10
20
30
40
50
c o n c .( p p m )
Figure.5 Effect of initial concentration of adsorbate on removal of Cu (II)
3.6 Adsorption isotherms
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The adsorption isotherm is a graphical representation of amount of substance adsorbed against the residual
concentration of the adsorbate and adsorbent doses were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm in order to
find the adsorption capacity of PJLP.
3.6.1 Freundlich Adsorption isotherm
The Freundlich equation was applied to describe the analytical results on adsorption. It was an empirical result agrees
quite well with Langmuir equation and experimental data over a moderate range of adsorbate concentration. It is
represented by the equation [27],
log x/m=log k+1/n log Ceq
Where, Ceq is the equilibrium concentration (mg/L) and x/m is the amount adsorbed per unit mass of adsorbent
(mg/g).Plotting log x/m vs. log Ceq a straight line was obtained with a slope of 1/n, and log k is the intercept. The k
value was found to be 4.027.The value of ‘n’was calculated to be 1.1745.As the value of ‘n’ is 1<n<10, shows favorable
adsorption of Cu (II) on PJLP.
3.6.2 Langmuir Adsorption isotherm
Langmuir equation was also applied for adsorption equilibrium. The Langmuir treatment is based on the assumption
that maximum adsorption corresponds to monolayer of adsorbate molecules on the adsorbent surface that the energy of
adsorption is constant and that there is no transmigration of adsorbate in the plane of the surface [27].
Ce /qe=1/ Q0b + Ce / Q0
Where qe is the amount of solute adsorbed per unit weight of adsorbent (mg/g), Ce is the equilibrium concentration of
solute in the bulk solution (mg/L), Q0 is the monolayer adsorption capacity (mg/g) and b is a constant related to the free
energy of adsorption.
The linear plot of Ce/qe vs.Ce shows that the adsorption obeys Langmuir adsorption model. Q0and b respectively were
determined from the Langmuir plots and found to be 201.08 mg/gand 0.3022mg/L. The essential characteristic of
Langmuir isotherm were expressed in terms of a dimensionless constant separation factor or equilibrium factor RL,
which is defined by
RL = 1/ 1+bC0
Where b is the Langmuir constant and C0 is the initial concentration of Cu (II).
RL is indicative of the nature of the isotherm and is enlisted below as [28], [29],
RL Value
Type of Isotherm
RL>1
Unfavorable
RL = 1
Linear
O < RL<1
Favorable
RL = O
Irreversible
RLvalue observed between 0 and 1 indicate favorable adsorption of Cu (II) on PJLP. RL value in the present study was
0.0008.
3.7 Thermodynamic Parameters
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Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2013
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Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy of adsorption were calculated and found that ∆G
was negative and showed spontaneous nature of adsorption process, ∆H was positive and showed endothermic nature of
adsorption process, ∆S was positive and showed the increasing randomness at solid/liquid interface during the
adsorption of copper. The values demonstrate a spontaneous and favorable adsorption process.
3.8 Application to industrial waste water
The suitability of the PJLP adsorbent for the removal of Cu (II) with respect to Industrial waste water was evaluated.
Adsorption experiments were conducted with Industrial waste water samples S1, S2 and S3 containing Cu (II).Table-1
and 2 gives the details of the Industrial waste water samples applied for this study before and after adsorption
experiments. The concentration of Cu (II) in S1, S2 and S3 were determined by AAS. The percentage of Cu (II) removal
in each sample was determined by usual procedure. The results are shown in Table-2. From which it is evident that Cu
(II) removals were 79.48, 78.68 and 88.90 from S1, S2 and S3 respectively. It has been observed that 88.90 % removal
of Cu (II) could be achieved with a adsorbent dose of 1gm/100ml.
Name of
sample/Name of
metal ion
S1
Co(ppm)
S2
Co (ppm)
S3
Co (ppm)
Cu
6.008
4.335
12.489
Table 1: Concentration of copper in industrial waste water before adsorption
Name
of
sampl
e
Industria
l waste
water
(ml)
Amount
of
adsorben
t (gm.)
Time
(min)
O.D.
Conc.(Ce)
Co-Ce
% Removal
100
1
60
0.016
1.230
4.769
79.48
S2
100
1
60
0.012
0.923
3.406
78.68
S3
100
1
60
0.018
1.384
11.095
88.90
S1
Table 2: Concentration of copper in industrial waste water after adsorption
4. CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows thatthe nitricacid treated Prosopis Juliflora LeafPowder (PJLP) is an efficient low-cost
adsorbent for the removal of toxic Cu (II) from aqueous solution and industrial waste water. The adsorption of Cu (II)
was found to be dependent on contact time, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of adsorbate, temperature and pH. The
equilibrium adsorption data showed significant correlation to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms and the
adsorption was followed second order kinetics. Value of RL indicates this adsorption process is favorable.Adsorption
with low cost adsorbent is not only cheaper but requires less maintenance and supervision. With the application of very
small dose of adsorbent (1gm/100ml), it is possible to remove about 89 % Cu (II) from industrial waste water. It is
suggested that the use of this adsorbent for removal of Cu (II) from industrial waste water is an effective and low cost
process.
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