Pine cones powder for the adsorptive removal of copper ions from water

This research investigates the adsorption potential of pine cone powder (PCP) for the removal of copper ions (Cu(II)) from aqueous solutions. The process of adsorption was reasonably fast, completed within a time of 60 min. The pseudo-second order kinetic model describes properly the Cu(II) adsorption by PCP. The adsorbent was characterised by various instrumental techniques and batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of PCP dose, solution pH, particle size and initial Cu(II) concentration on adsorption efficiency. Optimum Cu(II) removal occurred at a slightly acidic pH, with a particle size less than 100 μm. The effective PCP dose was estimated to be 36 g L-1. The increase in the initial concentration of Cu (II) was accompanied by a reduction in the rate of its reduction by almost half. The Langmuir model was the best fitting isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 9.08 mg g-1. The thermodynamic parameters values showed that the Cu(II) adsorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The results of this research suggest that Cu(II) could be removed through an environmentally friendly process using PCP as low-cost natural waste.