Determination of Physiochemical Properties of Biosorbents Synthesized from Water Melon Rind Using Microwave Assisted Irradiation Procedure ()
ABSTRACT
Three biosorbents were prepared from Watermelon Rind (WMR) using microwave
assisted procedure and then characterized using physiochemical techniques (pH,
bulk density, volatile matter, surface area, ash content and moisture content).
Physiochemical characterization of the synthesized biosorbents was done in
order to evaluate their adsorption potentials. Accordingly, results obtained
from the experiments conducted revealed the following trend: pH:
Water Melon Rind treated with Sodium hydroxide (NaWMR) 8.5 > Water Melon
Rind treated with Hydrogen peroxide (HP-WMR) 8.1 > Water Melon Rind treated
with Distilled water (DWMR) 6.4 > Untreated Water Melon Rind (UWMR) 5.4,
which suggest that NaWMR and HP-WMR possess suitable pH values for the uptake
of cationic species within aqueous systems. Surface Area: analysis: UWMR (21.4
m2/g), DWMR (35.8 m2/g), NaWMR (40.6 m2/g) and
HP-WMR (61.4 m2/g). This means that HP-WMR has a larger surface area
and could be a preferred candidate for adsorption processes. The results
obtained from this study suggest that chemical modification of Water Melon Rind
(WMR) with either distilled water Sodium Hydroxide or Hydrogen peroxide by means of
microwave irradiation enhances physiochemical properties which could boost the
adsorption capacity of Water Melon Rind. Thus, the outcome shows that all the
three synthesized biosorbents; DWMR, NaWMR and HP-WMR possess the characteristics
of a good adsorbent. Accordingly, they can be applied to wastewater
treatment process.
Share and Cite:
Ebelegi, A. , Toneth, E. and Bokizibe, M. (2022) Determination of Physiochemical Properties of Biosorbents Synthesized from Water Melon Rind Using Microwave Assisted Irradiation Procedure.
Open Journal of Physical Chemistry,
12, 19-30. doi:
10.4236/ojpc.2022.122002.