Adsorption of lead and copper ions from aqueous effluents on rice husk ash in a dynamic system

Abstract

This study evaluated the kinetic adsorption of Pb and Cu ions using rice husk ash as adsorbent in a fixed bed. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained for lead and copper ions in the fixed bed were 0.0561 and 0.0682 mmol/g (at 20 ºC), respectively. The thermodynamic studies indicated that the lead adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous, while the copper adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. Characterization results indicated the presence of several functional groups, amorphous silica and a fibrous and longitudinal structure of rice husks. Rice husk ash (RHA) from northern Brazil can be used as a bioadsorbent for the individual removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions from metal-containing effluents.