Development of a new adsorbent from pumpkin husk by KOH-modification to remove copper ions

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in watercourses is a major environmental problem throughout the world due to rapid population growth, industrialization, and economic development. Considering this, the present study aimed to develop a new adsorbent from pumpkin husk (PH) by KOH modification to remove copper (Cu²⁺) ions and to explore its adsorptive potential. The sorption studies of Cu²⁺ on KOH-modified PH were carried out as functions of particle size, solution pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, initial metal concentration, and contact time. The sorption capacity of KOH-modified PH was found to be higher than that of raw PH, as 19.4 and 10.2 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Morphology and surface structures of adsorbents were characterized by determination of zero point charge, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR–ATR) spectra, and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of PH powders before and after the sorption of Cu²⁺. The pH_zpc of PH was found to be 5.0. FTIR–ATR analyses indicated that amino, amide, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and oxygenated groups of PH play an important role in the sorption process. Sorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic parameters of Cu²⁺ on KOH-modified PH were studied. The kinetic process was well represented by the Logistic model. The maximum sorption was found as 73.16 mg g⁻¹ according to the well-fitting of Langmuir isotherm. Results of sorption and thermodynamic studies indicated that the process was exothermic, being feasible, and spontaneous. KOH-modified PH as an eco-friendly adsorbent had great potential to remove Cu²⁺ ions from aquatic system.