A comparative study of modified and unmodified maize tassels for removal of selected trace metals in contaminated water

Isaac W. Mwangi, J. Catherine Ngila, Jonathan O. Okonkwo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Powdered maize tassels were studied and found to exhibit metal sorption properties due to the availability of functional groups. The tassels have a high amount of soluble organic substances that can dissolve in aqueous media, contributing to secondary pollution during a water treatment process. A chelating agent was chemically attached on the maize tassels with a view to increase the sorption capacity, minimize leaching, and enhance the tassels' stability. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that modification improved their thermal stability to withstand temperatures above 600°C as well as reduced the "secondary pollution". The modified sorbent was employed for the sorption of lead, copper, and cadmium ions in both the model solutions and the real samples. The contact time and pH were optimized after which Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to the data. The sorption capacities for Cu 2+, Cd 2+, and Pb 2+ improved from 3.4, 0.8, and 1.7 g kg -1, respectively, to 6.3, 2.6, and 2.6 g kg -1 in the same order. The sorbent was shown to remove up to 95% of the metals in less than 10 min. This study has a potential application for the remediation of polluted waters.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20-39
Number of pages20
JournalToxicological and Environmental Chemistry
Volume94
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • ethylenediamine
  • maize tassels
  • metal sorption
  • modified sorbent
  • waste water

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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