Sustainable Processes of Biosorption of Pb(II) Ions from Synthetic Wastewater Using Waste Biomass from Mullein Leaves

Žaklina Tasić, Maja Nujkić (), Ivana Savić Gajić, Dragana Medić and Snežana Milić
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Žaklina Tasić: Department of Chemical Technology, Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, 19210 Bor, Serbia
Maja Nujkić: Department of Chemical Technology, Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, 19210 Bor, Serbia
Ivana Savić Gajić: Faculty of Technology in Leskovac, University of Niš, Bulevar oslobođenja 124, 16000 Leskovac, Serbia
Dragana Medić: Department of Chemical Technology, Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, 19210 Bor, Serbia
Snežana Milić: Department of Chemical Technology, Technical Faculty Bor, University of Belgrade, Vojske Jugoslavije 12, 19210 Bor, Serbia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate mullein ( Verbascum thapsus ) as a cost-effective and sustainable adsorbent for the biosorption of Pb(II) ions from synthetic wastewater samples. Biosorption of mullein was investigated as a function of initial Pb(II) concentration (25–400 mg L −1 ), biosorbent dosage (2–20 g L −1 ), solution pH (3–7), and contact time (10–120 min). Mullein as a material with a high affinity for Pb(II) ions had a biosorption efficiency of 98.56% under the optimal conditions: pH 6, initial concentration of Pb(II) at 100 mg L −1 , contact time of 90 min, and biosorbent dosage of 20 g L −1 . The FTIR spectra of mullein leaves showed that oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface are potentially active sites for the biosorption of Pb(II) ions. EDS analysis and the pH PZC value confirmed the adsorption of Pb(II) ions at the active sites of the mullein. Kinetic and isotherm data enabled insights into the modes of Pb(II) biosorption on the mullein surface which were best explained with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Biosorption occurs on the mullein surface via multilayer adsorption. The reusability of mullein showed that the native biosorbents can be reused five times, showing the economic and sustainable benefit of this low-cost biosorbent material.

Keywords: mullein leaf; lead ions; cost effective and sustainable biosorbent; chemisorption; kinetics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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