Biosorption of Zn (II) onto the Surface of Non-living Biomasses: A Comparative Study of Adsorbent Particle Size and Removal Capacity of Three Different Biomasses

Present research has delineated the biosorption potential of three different nonliving biomasses namely eucalyptus bark saw dust, mango bark saw dust, and pineapple fruit peel with respect to Zn (II) ion removal from liquid phase through batch experiments. The efficacy of Zn (II) ion biosorption onto surface of biosorbents was judged and correlated with biosorbent particle size, surface chemistry, and surface texture. Maximum metal ion uptake capacity, percentage removal, and minimum equilibrium concentration as 1.688 mg/g, 84.4%, and 1.56 mg/l, respectively, was obtained using eucalyptus bark saw dust mediated biosorption followed by mango bark saw dust as 1.028 mg/g, 51.4%, and 4.867 mg/l and pineapple fruit peel as 0.45 mg/g, 22.9%, and 7.71 mg/l, respectively, at a particle size of 0.5 mm. Additionally, present investigation also proved that biosorption efficiency and metal ion interaction with adsorbent surface also depends upon presence of functional groups involved in metal ion adsorption and surface porosity.