Application of black walnut (Juglans nigra) husk for the removal of lead (II) ion from aqueous solution

The biosorption characteristics of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution using black walnut (Juglans nigra) seed husk (WSH) biomass were investigated using batch adsorption techniques. The effects of pH, contact time, initial Pb (II) ion concentration, and temperature were studied. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms were used to analyze the equilibrium data. It was found that the adsorption of Pb (II) ions onto WSH was best described by the Freundlich adsorption model. Biosorption kinetics data were tested using the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models, and it was observed that the kinetics data fitted the pseudo-second order model. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs free energy change (ΔG⁰), standard enthalpy change (ΔH⁰) and standard entropy change (ΔS⁰) were evaluated. The result showed that biosorption of Pb (II) ions onto WSH was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The FTIR study showed that the following functional groups: O-H, C = O, C-O, C-H and N-H were involved in binding Pb (II) ions to the biomass.