African Journal of Chemistry

African Journal of Chemistry Vol. 1 (1), pp. 012-014, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on dyed coconut (Cocos nucifera) pollens for removal of Cu (II) and Zn (II) from aqeoues solution

Agiri, G.O1*, Akaranta, O2 and AjayI, I. O

1Industrial Safety and Environmental Engineering Department, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State,

Nigeria.

2Department of pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt.

*Corresponding author E-mail: otasgiri@yahoo.uk.com.

Accepted 21 August, 2013

Abstract

The ability of undyed and dyed coconut pollens to remove Cu(II) and Zn(II) from single ion solutions was been studied. The experiments were carried out using coconut pollens (1.0 g) undyed coconut pollens, UDCP, and dyed coconut pollens, DCPI, DCPII and DCPIII of different particle sizes: 0.40, 0.63 and 0.80 mm, respectively. The amount of Cu(II) adsorbed on UDCP, DCPI, DCPII and DCPIII were 69.20, 97.90, 94.70 and 93.10%, respectively, while that of zinc adsorbed on these adsorbents were 87.15, 98.30, 92.55 and 90.05%, respectively. These results show that dyed coconut pollens is effective in removing Cu(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions.

Key words: Adsorption dynamics, dyed coconut pollen grains, chemisorptions, heavy metals removal.