Removal of Ni(II) and Cu(II) in Aqueous Solutions Using Treated Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as Bioadsorbent

Phytoremediation consists of taking advantage the capacity certain plants to absorb, accumulate, or metabolize contaminants. In this study, Eichornia crassipes (water lily) treated with water (WLW) and NaOH (WLN) was investigated as an adsorbent for removal Ni(II) Cu(II) present in aqueous solution, focusing on determining most efficient conditions (adsorbent concentration, contact time, pretreatment, temperature). The results showed that equilibrium adsorption favorable carried out by a multilayer physical process both bioadsorbents. maximum at 30 °C WLW WLN 349 293.8 mg/g Ni(II), respectively, 294.1 276.3 Cu(II), respectively. thermodynamic analysis indicated metals spontaneous exothermic. Avrami model adequate kinetic study treatments, which revealed several mechanisms. characterization adsorbents, it determined functional groups WL well attractive forces surface materials participated metal process.