Banana peels as a green bioadsorbent for removing metals ions from wastewater

Abstract

Abstract Bioadsorption using agricultural waste offers a promising approach for removing toxic metals from wastewater. This study explores the potential of chemically activated banana peels (BPs) as a green and cost-effective bioadsorbent for Cu(II) and Zn(II) removal. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the presence of functional groups like alcohols, phenols, and amino acids on activated BPs, potentially responsible for metal ion binding. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of cavities on the BPs surface and the existence of oxygen and potassium. The adsorption capacity of BPs was investigated under various conditions, including pH, contact time, sorbent dosage, metal concentration, and temperature. This study used Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm models to describe the equilibrium results of Cu (II) and Zn (II) adsorption. The Langmuir isotherm model best described the adsorption process, suggesting monolayer coverage of metal ions on the BPs surface. Maximum adsorption capacities were 3.2 mg g−1 for Cu(II) and 2.8 mg g−1 for Zn(II), demonstrating the effectiveness of BPs in metal removal. Kinetic studies indicated pseudo-first-order (PFO) behavior for Cu(II) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) behavior for Zn(II) adsorption. Thermodynamic analysis revealed a spontaneous and exothermic process (negative Gibbes free energy (ΔG°) and enthalpy (ΔH°) with decreased randomness [negative entropy (ΔS°)] at the biosorption interface. Finally, the BPs sorbent was successfully applied to remove different metal ions from real wastewater samples collected from the El Wadi drain.

Keywords

• Banana peels
• Bioadsorption
• Metals
• Isotherm models
• Kinetics models
• Wastewater