Removal of chromium from an aqueous solution using Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf powder as an adsorbent

Abstract

In the present investigation, Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf powder is used as an adsorbent for the removal of chromium from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium studies are systematically carried out in a batch process, covering various process parameters that include agitation time, adsorbent size and dosage, initial chromium concentration, volume of aqueous solution and pH of the aqueous solution. Adsorption behavior is found to follow Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The adsorption mechanism is described by a pseudo second order kinetics.    Key words: Adsorption, neem, chromium, kinetics.