Authors :
P.C Madu; Dr. S.I Audu; Oifoghe Daniel Osagie
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/ytumc7h5
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may981
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This research explores a low-cost composite adsorbent synthesized from calcined corn cobs and kaolinite for the
extraction of lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) from polluted water. Corn cobs were dried and calcined at 150°C, then
combined with kaolinite in a 3:2 weight ratio, followed by a thermal treatment at 300°C. The final product, termed Corn
Cob-Kaolinite Mixture (CCKM), was tested in batch adsorption studies under different conditions (pH, initial ion
concentration, contact time, dosage, and temperature). The adsorption characteristics were modeled using Langmuir and
Freundlich isotherms. Results indicated a stronger correlation with the Langmuir model, with R2 values of 0.914 for Pb2+
and 0.952 for Cd2+, suggesting monolayer adsorption. These findings affirm the effectiveness and affordability of CCKM for
treating heavy metal-contaminated water.
Keywords :
Heavy Metal, Adsorption, Calcined Corncob, Kaolinate.
References :
- Ahluwalia, S. S., & Goyal, D. (2005). Removal of heavy metals by waste biomass and natural sorbents: A review. Bioresource Technology, 98(12), 2243–2257.
- Akpomie, K. G., & Dawodu, F. A. (2015). Potential of a low-cost Nigerian kaolinite–corn cob adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from industrial effluent. Desalination and Water Treatment, 53(7), 2158–2170.
- Alloway, B. J. (2016). Sources of heavy metals and metalloids in soils. In B. J. Alloway (Ed.), Heavy Metals in Soils (pp. 11–50). Springer, Dordrecht.
- Barakat, M. A. (2011). New trends in removing heavy metals from industrial wastewater. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 4(4), 361–377.
- Bhattacharyya, K. G., & Gupta, S. S. (2006). Adsorption of a few heavy metals on natural and modified kaolinite and montmorillonite: A review. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 140(2), 114–131.
- Crini, G. (2005). Recent developments in polysaccharide-based materials used as adsorbents in wastewater treatment. Progress in Polymer Science, 30(1), 38–70.
- Davis, T. A., Volesky, B., & Vieira, R. H. S. F. (2000). Sargassum seaweed as biosorbent for heavy metals. Water Research, 34(17), 4270–4278.
- Jamhour, R. M. A. Q., Ababneh, T. S., & Alrawasdeh, A. I. (2016). Adsorption isotherms and kinetics of Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions on new layered double hydroxides-nitrilotriacetate composite in aqueous media. Journal of Advanced Chemistry, 6(1), 17–33.
- Kord, M. F., Bazrafshan, E., Farzadkia, M., & Amimi, S. (2013). Arsenic removal from aqueous solution by salvadora persica stem ash. Journal of Chemistry, 13(34), 132–141.
- Lawal, O. S., Sanni, A. R., Ajayi, I. A., & Rabiu, O. O. (2010). Equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies for the biosorption of aqueous lead (II) ions onto the seed husk of Calophyllum inophyllum. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 177(1–3), 829–835.
- Mbugua, W., Thiong’o, J. K., & Gichuki, J. (2014). Adsorption of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ from aqueous solutions using modified water hyacinth. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5(1), 1–12.
- Mileusnić, M., Mapani, B. S., Kamona, A. F., Ružičić, S., Mapaure, I., & Chimwamurombe, P. M. (2014). Assessment of agricultural soil contamination by potentially toxic metals dispersed from improperly disposed tailings, Kombat mine, Namibia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 144, 409–420.
- Nwadiogbu, J. O., Ajiwe, V. I. E., & Okoye, P. A. C. (2014). Removal of Pb (II) from aqueous solution using activated carbon prepared from Afzelia africana seed shells. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 2(6), 303–309.
- Foo, K. Y., & Hameed, B. H. (2010).
- Insights into the modeling of adsorption isotherm systems. Chemical Engineering Journal, 156(1), 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.09.013
- Putra, W. P., Kamari, A., Yusoff, S. N. M., Ishak, C. F., Mohamed, A., Hashim, N., & Isa, I. M. (2014). Biosorption of Cu (II), Pb (II) and Zn (II) ions from aqueous solutions using selected waste materials. Journal of Encapsulation and Adsorption Sciences, 4(2), 25–35.
- Unuabonah, E. I., Adebowale, K. O., & Olu-Owolabi, B. I. (2008). Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the adsorption of lead(II) ions onto phosphate-modified kaolinite clay. Applied Clay Science, 39(3–4), 147–157.
- Wang, S., Vincent, T., Faur, C., & Guibal, E. (2016). Alginate and algal-based beads for the sorption of metal cations Cu (II) and Pb (II). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(9), 1453.
This research explores a low-cost composite adsorbent synthesized from calcined corn cobs and kaolinite for the
extraction of lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) from polluted water. Corn cobs were dried and calcined at 150°C, then
combined with kaolinite in a 3:2 weight ratio, followed by a thermal treatment at 300°C. The final product, termed Corn
Cob-Kaolinite Mixture (CCKM), was tested in batch adsorption studies under different conditions (pH, initial ion
concentration, contact time, dosage, and temperature). The adsorption characteristics were modeled using Langmuir and
Freundlich isotherms. Results indicated a stronger correlation with the Langmuir model, with R2 values of 0.914 for Pb2+
and 0.952 for Cd2+, suggesting monolayer adsorption. These findings affirm the effectiveness and affordability of CCKM for
treating heavy metal-contaminated water.
Keywords :
Heavy Metal, Adsorption, Calcined Corncob, Kaolinate.