Comparative Study of Pb2+ Removals and Isotherms by Physically - and Chemically - Modified Agro - Wastes from Tanzania

Abstract

Materials and Methods Raw corn and rice husk were washed several times using DIW to remove extraneous dirt and contaminants. The husks were then dried at 110 ºC overnight to remove moisture. Dried husks were then ground and sieved only using the 35 mesh fraction. The ground husks were pyrolyzed into biochars. The biochars were in turn treated with either ZnCl2 or KOH. Biosorbents were characterized by BET, FTIR, SEM, pHPZC and CEC. Biosorption experiments were conducted using ground husks, biochars, and chemically-modified biochars. Equilibrium modeling was carried out using Langmuir, Freundlich, DR, and Temkin models.