Bio-sorbents from cassava waste biomass and its performance in removal of Pb2+from aqueous solution

Cassava xanthogenate and their derivatives, as adsorbents to remove Pb2+ from aqueous solution, are studied based upon orthogonal factorial design. The structural and thermal properties, adsorption performance as well as equilibrium-kinetics are comprehensively investigated with multiple tools, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV–visible spectrum technique. The influence of multiple parameters, including initial Pb2+ concentrations, compositions, pH values, and temperatures, on the adsorption performance is emphasized. The crosslinked cassava xanthogenate serves as an effective bio-sorbent to remove Pb ions from aqueous solution, allowing regeneration in dilute acid solution. The findings in this study are beneficial for the development of adsorbents from cassava waste biomass and may contribute to environment recovery in “nature-to-nature” manner. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39780.