The potential to remove nickel(II) ions from aqueous solution using a biosorbent prepared from Vigna unguiculata pods (VUPs) was investigated in batch experiments. The batch mode experiments were conducted utilising the independent variables of pH (2 to 8), contact time (5 to 120 min), dosage concentration (0.2 to 1.6 g), nickel(II) concentrations (10 to 80 mg L−1) and temperature (20 to 50°C). The biosorption data fitted best to the Freundlich biosorption model with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.993 and lowest chi-squared value of 31.89. The maximum sorption capacity of the VUP for nickel(II) was 27.70 mg g−1. Kinetics studies revealed that the biosorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model as it had the lowest sum of square error value (0.808) and correlation coefficient close to unity (R2 = 0.998). The calculated thermodynamic parameters showed that the biosorption process was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic. Consequently, the study demonstrated that VUP biomass could be used as a biosorbent for the removal of nickel(II) from aqueous solution.
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Research Article|
February 08 2016
Removal of nickel(II) from aqueous solution by Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) pods biomass
Upenyu Guyo;
1Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe
E-mail: [email protected]
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Kudakwashe Sibanda;
Kudakwashe Sibanda
1Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe
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Edith Sebata;
Edith Sebata
1Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe
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Fidelis Chigondo;
Fidelis Chigondo
1Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe
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Mambo Moyo
Mambo Moyo
1Department of Chemical Technology, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Senga, Gweru, Zimbabwe
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Water Sci Technol (2016) 73 (10): 2301–2310.
Article history
Received:
August 12 2015
Accepted:
December 23 2015
Citation
Upenyu Guyo, Kudakwashe Sibanda, Edith Sebata, Fidelis Chigondo, Mambo Moyo; Removal of nickel(II) from aqueous solution by Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) pods biomass. Water Sci Technol 18 May 2016; 73 (10): 2301–2310. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2016.012
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