Removal of Copper(II) and Cadmium(II) ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Banana Peels and Bentonite Clay as Adsorbents

Adsorption removal of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution using low-cost banana peels (a food waste) and bentonite clay (natural resource), was investigated. The adsorption process was studied in a batch scale at mean operation parameter which were pH, adsorbent particle size, adsorbents dosages, and initial concentrations of metal ions. All experiments were conducted at room temperature. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were achieved to describe the quantitative uptake of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions by adsorbates. The results show that the maximum adsorption removal reach to 80% and 99.5% for Cu(II) on to banana peels and bentonite respectivelyand77 % and 98% for Cd (II) onto banana peels and bentonite respectively at optimum operating conditions: pH 5, particle size 75μm,adsorbent dosage 2 g/100mland metal concentration 5 mg/L .The equilibrium adsorption data for Cu(II) and Cd(II) were better fitted to Freundlich adsorption isotherm model than Langmuir.. The study concludes the use of banana peels as a food waste and bantonite as a natural adsorbent for removing Cu (II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution was effective. Thus offering a low cost material show potential use it to remove heavy metals.