Biosorption of Arsenic (III) by Using Lemon Peel Powder as Low Cost Effective Biosorbent

Abstract

: The use of lemon peel powder, a novel, low-cost, and sustainable biosorbent derived from food waste, to remove arsenic has largely gone unexplored. The feasibility and viability of the As (III) biosorption abilities of lemon peel powder are compared in this study. The parameters such as contact time, pH, the amount of lemon peels used, the initial arsenic concentration, and temperature all had an effect on the sorption process. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and equilibrium were all evaluated. The optimal pH was 6.0, and it lasted until pH 8 with 72.34% removal efficiency. Lemon peel (LP) has a pH PZC value of 7 and a surface pH of 7. The analysis of kinetics revealed that the biosorption was regulated by a second-order reaction, as well as the fact that the catalytic region of the biosorbent was heterogeneous; however, the biosorption process was better defined by the Freundlich and Temkin isotherms. Finally, it is possible to remove arsenic (III) using waste content. Thermodynamic and equilibrium analysis have shown that sorption is a natural process that is spontaneous, beneficial, and endothermic. In addition, Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) research shows that arsenic reacts with metal oxides and the -OH functional group in lemon peel. These findings indicate that this peel can be used to remove arsenic from a simulated aqueous solution as a valuable, low-cost sorbent. This research lays the groundwork for the potential production of an effective filtration device that uses citrus peel powder as a low-cost, innovative, and long-lasting biosorbent to treat water polluted with arsenic (III). morphology on biomaterial is observed confirming the binding/chelation of molecules to the lemon peel portion. (d) The surface has a wavy nature with various aberrations and hollow pores and a light/dark shaded surface signifying the presence of arsenic molecules. (e) Agglomeration has been observed as a result of chelates formation and two separate phases on the biomaterial are seen with sponge-like porous and thread-like fibrous structures.