Sorption Study of Co (II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions Removal from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on Flamboyant Flower (Delonix Regia)

Abstract

The ability of Delonix regia (Flamboyant) flower to remove Co(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions through biosorption was investigated in multimetal batch experiments at 32ºC. The metal ions concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopic (AAS) method. The influence of pH, Contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial metal ion concentration were investigated. The study revealed that maximum removal of Co(II), Cu(II) Pb(II) ion from aqueous solution occurred at pH of 5. The contact time for the adsorption process was found to be at 60 minutes. The amount of metal ions adsorbed increases with increase in adsorbent dosage and initial metal ion concentration. The biosorption of Pb(II) and Co(II) ions exhibited pseudo-second-order kinetics models whereas Cu(II) ion followed for both pseudo first order and second order kinetics model. This study shows that Delonix regia flower is a viable agricultural waste for the removal of Co(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution