Utilization of maize (Zea mays) cob as an adsorbent for lead (II) removal from aqueous solutions and industrial effluents

Abstract

Maize cob was used as an adsorbent in order to evaluate its potential for the removal of lead from aqueous solutions and effluents from battery and paint industries with Dowex (synthetic resin) as control. Experimental data were analyzed in terms of Freundlich isotherm model. Equilibrium was attained at 2 h and adsorption rate constants for maize cob and dowex were 7.26 x 10-2 and 7.58 x 10-2 min-1, respectively. Equilibrium pH value was 6; shaking at 150 rpm enhanced adsorption with maximum adsorption by both adsorbents in battery and paint effluents. Optimal weight at equilibrium for the adsorbents in Pb2+ solution was 16 mg/L of solution. Pb2+ removal by maize cob from battery effluent was 99.99% while it was 47.38% for Dowex. Corresponding values from paint effluents were 66.16 and 27.83%. The study concludes that maize cob has great potentials to remove Pb2+ from industrial effluents.