Adsorptive Elimination of Cadmium(II) Ions from Industrial Effluents Using Xanthated Coconut Coir Matrices

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 6, No. 7, July 2015 | pp. 49–56

DOI: 10.46882/2015/IJC/000082

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Adsorptive Elimination of Cadmium(II) Ions from Industrial Effluents Using Xanthated Coconut Coir Matrices

Names of Authors: E. N. Chidi¹, M. H. van den Bosch²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination of surface waters due to battery manufacturing operations presents severe ecological risks due to the toxicity and mobility of cadmium compounds. This study explores the adsorptive performance of modified coconut coir prepared via chemical modification with carbon disulfide in alkaline media (xanthation). The surface morphology and chemical modifications of the adsorbent were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The analytical data confirmed that xanthation successfully integrated sulfur-rich dithiocarbonate groups onto the cellulosic biomass network. Batch extraction experiments evaluated parameters of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial Cd(II) concentrations. Maximum Cd(II) adsorption occurred at an optimum pH of 6.0, using an equilibrium contact period of 90 minutes. Equilibrium data fit the Langmuir model closely, showing a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 58.45 mg/g at 298 K. Sorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model with a high correlation coefficient (R² > 0.997), proving that chemical surface complexation reactions controlled the mass transfer rates. Thermodynamic constants showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous (delta G° = -5.12 kJ/mol) and endothermic, establishing xanthated coir as an affordable material for wastewater treatment plant designs.

Keywords: Coconut coir; Chemical modification; Xanthation; Cadmium removal; Adsorption kinetics; Chemisorption

Manuscript Timeline: Received: January 20, 2015; Revised: March 02, 2015; Accepted: April 10, 2015; Published: July 05, 2015.

Citation: Chidi, E. N., & van den Bosch, M. H. (2015). Adsorptive Elimination of Cadmium(II) Ions from Industrial Effluents Using Xanthated Coconut Coir Matrices. International Journal of Chemistry, 6(7), 49–56.

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