Adsorptive Remediation of Hexavalent Chromium Using Chemically Functionalized Banana Pseudo-Stem Biomass

International Journal of Chemistry | Vol. 14, No. 11, November 2023 | pp. 81–88

DOI: 10.46882/2023/IJC/000181

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Adsorptive Remediation of Hexavalent Chromium Using Chemically Functionalized Banana Pseudo-Stem Biomass

Names of Authors: E. N. Chidi¹, L. M. van der Westhuizen²*

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
²Department of Chemical Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination of surface water resources by metallurgical effluents demands the chemical configuration of low-cost, stable, and highly active biosorption matrices. This investigation reports the adsorptive efficiency of a modified agricultural adsorbent derived from banana pseudo-stem wastes prepared via surface functionalization with succinic anhydride. The chemical transformations and surface porous architectures of the matrix were examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FT-IR spectroscopy. The analytical data confirmed that the modification process successfully integrated carboxylic acid functional ligand networks across the cellulosic biomass strands. Batch extraction experiments evaluated parameters of solution pH, equilibrium contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial Cr(VI) concentrations. Maximum chromium adsorption occurred at an acidic pH of 2.0, using an equilibrium contact period of 90 minutes. Equilibrium data matched the Langmuir model closely, showing a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 62.45 mg/g at 298 K. Sorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model with a high correlation coefficient (R² > 0.998), proving that chemical surface complexation reactions controlled the mass transfer rates. Thermodynamic parameters confirmed process spontaneity and endothermic characteristics, highlighting this modified biomass as an affordable material for industrial water treatment plant design.

Keywords: Banana pseudo-stem; Surface functionalization; Hexavalent chromium; Adsorption kinetics; Chemisorption; Wastewater remediation

Manuscript Timeline: Received: June 02, 2022; Revised: July 15, 2022; Accepted: August 10, 2022; Published: November 09, 2023.

Citation: Chidi, E. N., & van der Westhuizen, L. M. (2023). Adsorptive Remediation of Hexavalent Chromium Using Chemically Functionalized Banana Pseudo-Stem Biomass. International Journal of Chemistry, 14(11), 81–88.

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