Sorption and desorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution using Triplochiton scleroxylon sawdust as sorbent

Studies on a batch sorption process using Triplochiton scleroxylon sawdust as a low cost sorbent produced by wood industry was investigated to remove lead ions from aqueous solution. The sorption process follows a pseudo second-order rate kinetics at different dosage of sawdust and at different Pb(II) initial concentration. The Freundlich and Langmuir sorption models were used for the mathematical description of the equilibrium and isotherm constants were also evaluated, the maximum sorption capacity of Pb(II) in single component system was determined to be 26.38 mg g-1 at 30±2°C and at an initial pH of 4. The sorption process showed that copper, cadmium or both metals in aqueous solutions suppressed the removal of lead ions by sawdust. These results indicated that ion exchange is one of the major sorption mechanisms for binding Pb(II) ions into sawdust. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.