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Accentuated Adsorption of Cu2+ and Pb2+ from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Macadamia Nutshell

Author

Listed:
  • Mokete Phele

    (Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences, Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, Sebokeng, 1983)

  • Fanyana Mtunzi

    (Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences, Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park, Sebokeng, 1983)

  • Ikechukwu Ejidike

    (Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Natural, Applied and Health Sciences, Anchor University, Lagos, 100278)

  • Futhuli Mothamaha

    (Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA), Johannesburg)

Abstract

The efficiency of activated macadamia nutshell as an adsorbent for removing lead (Pb2+) and copper (Cu2+) from the water was investigated. The treated macadamia nutshell was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Batch mode adsorption experiments were conducted by varying pH, concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time. The kinetics study of sorption indicates that the pseudo-second-order model provides better correlation of the sorption data (R2=0.99) than the pseudo first-order model (R2 = 0.94), confirming the chemisorption of metal ions in solutions on macadamia nutshell. The Freundlich isotherm has a good fit with the experimental data (R2 close to 1) compared to Langmuir isotherm (R2=0.96). This study shows that macadamia nutshell is an available, low cost, effective and environmentally friendly biosorbent for the removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution. Thermodynamic studies confirmed that the biosorption process was endothermic and the positive value of ΔG° is quite common when an ion-exchange mechanism applies in the biosorption. The positive value of ΔS° suggested an increase in randomness during the biosorption.

Suggested Citation

  • Mokete Phele & Fanyana Mtunzi & Ikechukwu Ejidike & Futhuli Mothamaha, 2026. "Accentuated Adsorption of Cu2+ and Pb2+ from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Macadamia Nutshell," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), vol. 11(13), pages 8-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bjf:journl:v:11:y:2026:i:13:p:8-16
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