DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v24i3.54

Keywords: Calotropis procera; functionalized bionanomaterial; bioadsorption; adsorption isotherms

Abstract

This article is focused on the fabrication of functionalized activated carbon material to improve its adsorption performance in the removal of Hg(II) ions. To increase its surface area, the above material was subjected to the ball milling process to obtain Ball Milled Activated Carbon (BMAC). The BMAC was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Branauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis. The characterisation results are evidence of the successful impregnation of functional groups such as PO43- and SO42- ions as well as irregular cave-type openings in BMAC with large pore sizes and high surface areas (524 m2/g). To further improve the efficiency of BMAC in the adsorption of Hg(II) ions, various parameters were studied and optimized to the following: 120 min contact time, pH 4, adsorbent dosage 4.0 g, 20 mg/L Hg(II) ion concentration, and 60 °C temperature. The experimental data fit well with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm and followed First Order kinetics. The positive ∆H and the negative ∆G values confirm that the adsorption reaction was endothermic and spontaneous.