Removal of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) from aqueous solutions by adsorption using synthetic tobermorite prepared from bio-municipal wastes as adsorbent

Contamination of waters by discharge heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) etc. from various industrial activities poses a great threat to humans, plants and animals, thus the need for their removal waste waters. In this work, synthetic tobermorite was prepared using soda-lime-silica glass silica precursor while snail shell ash used source calcium oxide. Several compositions were formulated with varying combination soda-lime ash. The bodies sintered at 950oC in an electric muffle furnace. Analyses scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR) assess microstructure functional groups present developed tobermorite. further immersed aqueous solutions containing (Pb2+ Cd2+) whilst parameters temperature, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate concentration performance results morphology shows that tobermorites possess irregular spherical shaped grain coated water films EDS presence Ca Si small amount Al confirming FT-IR indicates – O main groups. adsorption experiment performed is effective studied work. However, impaired increase temperature above room temperature.