Adsorption Study of Heavy Metal and Acid Dye on an Amphoteric Biomaterial Using Barbary Fig Skin

In this paper, Barbary fig skin was used which is a natural adsorbent and is low cost, without any chemical or physical activation that causes loss of energy and mass and use of large amount of water for rinsing. The product was characterized by SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray, (NMRC)-C-13, and FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, physicochemical parameters to know the iodine value, pH((ZPC)), and distribution of functional groups on the surface were determined. The material obtained was then used for the treatment of water contaminated by zinc released by zinc plating industrial activities and by an acid red dye (CR) from the textile industry. The results obtained after the study of kinetics, sorption isotherms, the effect of pH, mass and thermodynamic quantities show good efficiency in view of the large sorption capacity to the two treated pollutants (Q(max-Zn) = 129.87 mg g(-1), Q(max-CR) = 151.51 mg g(-1)). The results found in the course of this study show that the surface of the prepared material has an amphoteric character with the presence of cavities. Freundlich parameters confirm that the adsorption of both pollutants was favorable. The sorption capacity results were compared with those of other adsorbents cited in the literature.