A novel sustainable and eco-friendly biosourced hybrid sorbent for toxic Pb2+decontamination: Nano metal oxide functionalized salt-tolerant plant biomass

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 439; p. 140838
• Main Authors: Akar, Tamer, Alim, Süleyman, Meltem, Gülşen, Sayin, Fatih, Tunali Akar, Sibel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Characterization; Lead; Modeling; Modification; Salicornia europaea; Sorptive treatment; Characterization; Lead; Modification; Salicornia europaea; Modeling; Sorptive treatment
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140838

A novel biomaterial was designed by functionalizing halophytic salt-tolerant Salicornia europa biomass with nano-metal oxide (MnO2) for Pb2+ removal from aqueous environments. To assess the impact of key variables on the sorption behavior of the new biomaterial, a series of batch and column assays were executed. The optimum solution pH and sorbent dosage were 4.5 and 20 mg, respectively. The maximum experimental uptake capacity of the modified sorbent in batch mode was 164.87 mg/g at 25 °C. The findings demonstrated that the modification procedure could greatly enhance the sorbent's performance. The sorption reached an equilibrium after 30 min and obeyed the pseudo-second-order rate equation. Compared to the Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich models, the Freundlich model (r2 = 0.980−0.991) was better for predicting equilibrium data, which indicates the multilayer coverage of the sorbent surface by metal ions. The sorption performance of the suggested material in batch and dynamic flow treatment systems was higher than 94% and 99%, respectively. The removal of Pb2+ by the proposed sorbent was not greatly affected by aqueous disturbances like the coexistence of competing ions. The breakthrough capacities were 251.16 and 55.64 mg/g in synthetic metal ion solution and simulated wastewater, respectively. SEM-EDX and FTIR analysis revealed the biomaterial surface was successfully modified by MnO2 particles. The improved Pb2+ sorption can be linked to the biosorbent's altered surface structure, which endorses electrostatic interactions and complexation. Eventually, this study offers an easy approach for creating lignocellulosic biomass modified with a nano metal oxide that may effectively eliminate toxic Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. •Metal oxide modified novel biosorbent (MnO2@SE) for a toxic metal removal.•Good Pb2+ sorptive treatment potential in both batch and column systems.•The best conformity was demonstrated by Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models.•The breakthrough sorption capacity and yield of MnO2@SE is 251.16 mg/g and 100%.