Heavy Metal Ions Adsorption from Aqueous Solution by Jackfruit Peel as Activated Biochar Low-Cost Adsorbent

Abstract

This study investigates the viability of using jackfruit peel, an amply available solid waste in Malaysia, to adsorb heavy metals by synthesizing it to remove metal ions from water. The JPB was synthesized by carbonizing it at 500^oC for 2 hours under air atmosphere flow. To determine its physic-chemical properties, the JPB was characterized using several techniques including XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDX. The study was carried out in batches to determine the effects of the contact time, initial concentration (5–100 mg/L), pH (4–9) and temperature (25 -45 ?C) on the removal of heavy metals at a prescribed amount of 0.1 g. The analysis of the experimental data was initially carried out using various types of linearized Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich isotherm, but it was eventually apparent that the data was better suited to the Langmuir model which indicated a higher determination coefficient (ranging from 0.448 to 0.9966). Resultantly, it was found that JPB is highly effective in adsorbing heavy metals from aqueous solutions.