Adsorption of Lead (II) ion from Aqueous Solution using Eggshell Adsorbent

Abstract

In this study, the efficiency of eggshell adsorbent in removal of Lead (II) ion from its aqueous
solution was investigated. Standard experimental procedures were used in conducting the
experiment. Results show that chemical composition of eggshell indicated high carbon
content of 85.58% which is characteristic of good adsorbent, particle size ranged between
0.075 to 4.750 mm which is evidence of large surface area for effective adsorption. Optimum
dosage of adsorbent was 0.3 g corresponding to 76.479% removal. Optimum pH of 6.5 was
observed at 84.3% removal. The adsorption process has a very good fit for the Redlich-
Peterson isotherm with R2-value of 0.9920, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
Fourier transform infrared spectra both for unloaded and loaded adsorbent show clogged
pore spaces in SEM. The disappearance of some functional groups in the FTIR spectra of
loaded adsorbent, such as the amine, carboxylic acid, alkyl and aromatic groups, alkanes,
aldehydes, terminal alkyne, carbonyl stretching vibration of either