Removal of Hg II and Cu II Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon Produced from Palm Fruit Fibre

Studies were carried out to evaluate the removal of Hg II and Cu II ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon produced from palm fruit fibre. Appropriate analytical procedure and instrumentation was applied in carrying out the batch adsorption experiment. Increase in adsorbents dosage and solution temperature was found to significantly increase the removal of the two metal ions from aqueous solution. Increase in the initial concentration of the adsorbate significantly reduced the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent due to increase in the adsorbate concentration in the solution to the unchanging number of adsorption sides on the adsorbent. The solution pH and contact time of the adsorbate and adsorbent reached maximum removal efficiency at 6.0 and 45min respectively revealing the dependency of effective adsorption by activated carbon on these factors. The ∆S and ∆H of the adsorption were positive showing an endothermic adsorption process. The decrease in Gibbs free energy of adsorption with increase in adsorption efficiency of the activated carbon shows that effective adsorption of adsorbates favours high temperatures. Keywords: Activated carbon, Heavy metals, Cu II ions, Hg II ions Adsorption efficiency and Aqueous solution. DOI : 10.7176/CMR/11-6-05 Publication date : August 31st 2019