Apple peels as a potential adsorbent for removal of Cu and Cr from wastewater

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the biggest concerns of society and agricultural waste is generated in vast amounts. In this study removal of Cu and Cr from wastewater using chemically modified apple peels was studied by following batch sorption experiments. Effects of metal concentration, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature and contact duration on the adsorption of Cu & Cr were investigated by using atomic adsorption spectrophotometer (AAS). SEM & EDX analysis of the adsorbents were recorded to study the morphology of the prepared adsorbents. Qmax value of apple peels is 25 for Cr and 22 for Cu, while for apple peel charcoal it is 33 for Cr and 47 for Cu, for treated apple peels Qmax is 50 for Cr and 52 for Cu adsorption. The data was processed using pseudo first, second order kinetic and intraparticle diffusion. Results depicted that the calculated adsorption capacities (qe cal) were found to be close to the experimental values (qe cal) by following pseudo-second-order kinetics. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms was tested. Results showed that the Langmuir model is best fitted on adsorption data because regression factor R2 values are good for the Langmuir model. HIGHLIGHTS This study focuses on efficient removal of Cr and Cu from wastewater using solid waste.; These prepared adsorbents are eco-friendly and non hazardous.; Maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) up to 50 for Cr and 52 for Cu for treated apple peels is observed.; Calculated adsorption capacities (qe cal) were found to be close to the experimental values (qe cal) by following pseudo-second-order kinetics.;