Zinc removal from aqueous solution using novel adsorbent MISCBA

Pollution caused by heavy metals has become a serious problem to the environment nowadays. The treatment of wastewater containing heavy metals continues to receive attention because of their toxicity and negative impact on the environment. Recently, various types of adsorbents have been prepared for the uptake of heavy metals from wastewater through the batch adsorption technique. This study focused on the removal of zinc from aqueous solution using microwave incinerated sugarcane bagasse ash (MISCBA). MISCBA was produced using microwave technology. The influence of some parameters such as pH, contact time, initial metal concentration and adsorbent dosage on the removal of zinc was investigated. The competition between H⁺ and metal ions has affected zinc removal at a low pH value. Optimum conditions for zinc removal were achieved at pH 6.0, contact time 180 min and adsorbent dosage of 10 g/L, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity for the removal of zinc was found to be 28.6 mg/g. The adsorption process occurred in a multilayered surface of the MISCBA. Chemical reaction was the potential mechanism that regulates the adsorption process. MISCBA can be used as an effective and cheap adsorbent for treatment of wastewater containing zinc metal ions.