Comparative research on selective adsorption of Pb(II) by biosorbents prepared by two kinds of modifying waste biomass: Highly-efficient performance, application and mechanism

In this study, we used xanthate to modify two waste biomass materials (corn cob and chestnut shell) and prepared them as biosorbents in one step for effectively removing Pb(II) from aqueous solutions containing only Pb (II) or Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II). The two biosorbents were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR and Zeta potential analysis, and the results of the characterization were used to explore the adsorption mechanism of Pb(II) on biosorbents. We compare the Pb(II) removal ability of the two biosorbents and the investigated factors that affect Pb(II) removal. The results show that the adsorption capacity of xanthate modified corn cob (X?CC) and xanthate modified chestnut shell (X?CS) for Pb(II) is related to pH, reaction time, temperature and initial concentrations of both adsorbent and adsorbate. The adsorption of Pb(II) on X?CC and X?CS follows Langmuir isotherm equation and quasi-secondary kinetic equation, and their fitted qm values are 166.39 and 124.84 mg g-1, respectively. The analysis shows that the biosorbent has high selectivity to Pb(II) rather than Cu(II) and Cd(II), and still maintains a high removal rate of Pb(II) in actual wastewater. The biosorbents remove metal ions mainly through ion exchange reaction and the functional group in the material complexes with the metal to form micro-precipitation. The high adsorption capacity in aqueous solution and low costs in the manufacturing process of the present biosorbents ensure that they have great potential in practical applications for treating heavy-metal contaminated surface water.

Automated summary

In this study, xanthate modified bio-sorbents prepared from corn cob and chestnut shell effectively removed Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption process was influenced by factors such as pH, reaction time, temperature, and initial concentrations. The bio-sorbents displayed high selectivity to Pb(II) over Cu(II) and Cd(II), and had great potential for practical applications in treating heavy-metal contaminated surface water.