TITLE:
Utilization of Infused Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis) for the Removal of Pb2+, Fe2+ and Cd2+ Ions from Aqueous Solution: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies
AUTHORS:
Chen Son Yue, Kok How Chong, Cheah Cheng Eng, Ling Siang Loh
KEYWORDS:
Infused Tea Leaves, Isotherms, Kinetics, Lead, Cadmium, Iron
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.8 No.5,
May
20,
2016
ABSTRACT: In this study, infused tea leaves as a low-cost adsorbent have been used
in the removal of the Pb2+, Fe2+ and Cd2+ ions
from aqueous solution. The adsorption study was carried out in a batch process
and the effects of parameters such as initial pH, adsorbent dose, contact time
and initial metal ion concentration were investigated. Experimental
results showed that the maximum adsorption of metal ions occurred at pH 5 for
Pb2+ and Fe2+ and at pH 6 for Cd2+. Adsorption
of metal ions increased with increasing adsorbent concentration and contact
time. The isothermal data for the adsorption of metal ions by infused tea leaves
were found to fit well with the Langmuir equations. Based on the experimental
data of the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacities of the
metal ions onto the infused tea leaves were found in the order of Pb2+ > Cd2+ > Fe2+ with the adsorption capacities of
26.32 mg·gǃ, 14.29 mg·gǃ and 12.38 mg·gǃ respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order reaction
and the corresponding rate constant were found to be 4.30 × 10Dž g·mgǃ·minǃ,
1.75 × 10ǃ g·mgǃ·minǃ and 1.45 × 10DŽ g·mgǃ·minǃ for Pb2+, Fe2+ and Cd2+ ions respectively.