Reduction and Biosorption of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions by Acid-Modified Guava Seeds: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies

The use of guava seeds (GS) and acid-modified guava seeds (MGS) for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions was investigated. Batch-type experiments were performed with Cr(VI) aqueous solutions and biosorbents to determine the kinetic and equilibrium sorption parameters. Results indicated that GS and MGS were capable of reducing and remove Cr(VI) from solutions, but the reduction was only observed at some experimental conditions. Infrared analysis showed that several functional groups were involved in the reduction, and biosorption of Cr(VI), particularly alcohol, phenolic, carboxylic, and methoxymethyl structures. The mechanisms of reduction and biosorption depended upon the type of biosorbent, pH, and temperature of the system. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model describes the kinetic sorption data, and the Langmuir-Freundlich (L-F) model describes the isotherm data in most cases. Significantly high total chromium biosorption capacities were obtained. Acid modification of guava seeds improves chromium biosorption performance.