Utilization of banana peel-derived activated carbon for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater

Metal plating industries generate wastewater containing heavy metals, necessitating effective treatment methods to mitigate environmental contamination. This study investigated the potential of banana peel-derived activated carbon (BPAC) and commercial activated carbon for heavy metal removal, addressing a pressing environmental concern. The analysis encompassed diverse pH levels, crucial for real-world applicability, offering valuable insights into adsorption capacities and kinetics. The results revealed competitive performance of both materials, with typical lead (Pb) removal ranging from 4 to 6 mg/g and cadmium (Cd) from 3 to 5 mg/g. Commercial activated carbon exhibited slightly superior adsorption kinetics and capacities, highlighting its efficacy in heavy metal removal. Throughout the study, optimizing dosage proved essential for maximizing removal efficiency, emphasizing the practical implications of this research. Furthermore, the time-dependent behavior of adsorption kinetics underscored the importance of extended contact times for enhanced removal. Generally, BPAC emerged as a promising solution for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater. It consistently achieved removal efficiencies typically ranging from 75 % to more than 90 %, making it a viable alternative in the realm of wastewater treatment. At pH 4, BPAC demonstrated significantly higher adsorption capacity, with lead (Pb) at 5.50 ± 0.20 (mg/g) and cadmium (Cd) at 4.10 ± 0.15 (mg/g), compared to slightly lower values for commercial activated carbon, Pb at 5.20 ± 0.25 (mg/g) and Cd at 3.90 ± 0.20 (mg/g). This study contributes significantly to wastewater treatment methodologies, offering sustainable and efficient approaches to address heavy metal contamination in industrial effluents.