Adsorption of As (III) and As (V) from aqueous solution by modified Cassia fistula (golden shower) biochar

Abstract

The biosorption of two Arsenic (As) species [As (III) and As (V)] from aqueous solution onto activated biochar derived from Cassia fistula , belonging to Fabaceae family was studied. SEM/EDX characterization of the adsorbent showed an irregular, porous, and heterogeneous surface morphology with calcium and iron available for As binding. FTIR also showed the presence of groups responsible for As adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for As adsorption to the biomass with optimum adsorbent dose, ambient temperature, initial concentration of As, pH, and stirring rate. Under optimized conditions, the maximum removal percentage was 78.1% [uptake capacity ( q e ) = 0.78 mg/g] for As (III) and 84.8% [uptake capacity ( q e ) = 0.42 mg/g] for As (V). The Freundlich isotherm model, characteristic of multilayer binding, fit the data best with R 2 values of 0.92 for As (III) and 0.96 for As (V). Fitting of the data to the Dubinin–Radushkevich model indicated physisorption, while the kinetics study suggested a pseudo-second-order reaction. Thermodynamic parameters indicated adsorption was spontaneous. In aqueous solutions, phosphate hindered As removal more than the any other ions. Regeneration studies showed a 23.0% and 21.1% recovery for arsenite and arsenate, respectively, indicating limited leaching under both acidic and alkaline conditions. The absorptive capacity of C. fistula biomass for arsenic removal was compared with a number of other reported biosorbents and was found to be considerably efficient.