Removal of Cadmium (II) Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Modified Kennan’s Sugarcane Bagasse Activated Carbon with Natural Zeolite

This study investigates a comparative assessment of two adsorbents, prepared activated carbon from Kennan's Sugarcane Bagasse, AC (KSCB)KOH and AC (KSCB)H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> combined with natural zeolite samples for cadmium(II) ions removal. Maximum Cd(II)removal was observed at pH (6.0 – 8.0) when using KOH and H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> respectively. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to the adsorption data. The coefficients for determination of the two models were high with Langmuir model providing the best description for the experimental adsorption data. The fitting of the adsorption data into Freundlich model shows that the mode of adsorption of the metal ions by both adsorbents follows physisorption. Investigations into the maximum adsorption capacity showed that Cd(II) has an excellent adsorption on both adsorbents. Maximum adsorption capacities for Cd(II) metal ions corresponding to monolayer coverage, obtained from the Langmuir plots, were (714.29) mg/g and (270.27) mg/g onto the AC (KSCB)KOH and AC (KSCB)H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> combined with natural zeolite respectively. The Langmuir adsorption coefficient, K<sub>L</sub> which is related to the affinity of the adsorbents were (150.00) and (34.33) for adsorption of Cd(II) ions onto AC (KSCB)KOH AC and (KSCB)H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> combined with natural zeolite respectively, following the initial order. The carbonized AC (KSCB)KOH Combined with natural zeolite based - adsorbent was generally found to have an increased adsorption capacity for the metal ions than AC (KSCB)H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub> Combined with Natural Zeolite.