Using a New Lignocellulosic Material Based on Palm Stems for Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption in Aqueous Solution

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Chemistry department, Faculty of Sciences, Badji-Mokhtar University, Algeria

Abstract

The objective of this work focuses on the use of a new natural lignocellulosic material based on palm stems for adsorbing of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in water. The palm stems powder (PSP) was characterized using different techniques. The influencing factors on the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions was investigated such as pH. The results show that the increase of the temperature and the initial adsorbate concentration leads to increase the adsorption quantity of Cr(VI) on PSP which was as a maximum in the range of 1.5-2.5 mg.g-1. On the other hand, the results of the adsorption isotherms follow the Freundlich model and the kinetic adsorption follows the pseudo-second order reaction. In addition, the thermodynamic study indicates that the adsorption process which depending the pH solution, is an endothermic and spontaneous phenomenon. Overall, our results show the adsorption behavior of this raw material which can be used as a low-cost alternatives to commercial materials.

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