Profiling of Zn2+ Ion Sorption in Modeled Aqueous Solutions by different Parts of Maize Biomass

Abstract

The efficiency of the husk, stalk, cob and seed chaff from maize biomass in the removal of Zn ions from solution under different conditions was studied and compared. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra of the different biomass parts before and after adsorption of metal ions showed that the husk and cob had more available functional groups and as such active sites for the adsorption of Zn 2+ ions than the seed chaff and stalk. Percentage removal of Zn 2+ ions from solution increased with increase in the studied pH range for all the parts. This value also increased with increase in biomass load for the husk and cob but showed an alternating increase and decrease in Zn 2+ ions removal as biomass load increased when the seed chaff and stalk were studied. At optimum pH and biomass load for the studied parts the maize husk gave the best removal efficiency of 72.8 %, making it a promising green packing material for industrial scale water treatment application.