Unmodified Sugarcane Bagasse Waste Biomass as a Potential Source for Biosorption of Cd2+ From Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Heavy metal pollutants released from industrial effluent into the water bodies are highly toxic, non-degradable, and accumulate in a living organism through the food chain thus posing a serious threat to mankind. The study describes the biosorption of Cd²⁺ ions from an aqueous solution using unmodified sugarcane bagasse (SCB). In the batch study, the influence of various process parameters inclusive of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, agitation rate, and initial ion concentration has been evaluated. The equilibrium studies were systematically carried out at pH range (2-10), adsorbent dosage (0.1 gm-0.5 gm), initial Cd²⁺ ion concentration (2 ppm-10 ppm), contact time (20 min-120 min), agitation rate (0 rpm-160 rpm). The concentration of Cd²⁺ ions in the solutions before and after equilibrium was determined by measuring absorbance using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The optimum Cd²⁺ removal was observed at pH-9, initial ion concentration of 2 ppm, the contact time of 120 min, agitation rate of 80 rpm, and adsorbent dosage of 0.4 gm. The biosorbent was characterized by FTIR reveals the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, amide, and methoxy functional groups. All results showed that the SCB can be effectively considered as a promising cost-effective biosorbent for the removal of Cd²⁺ions from aqueous solutions.