Corn Silk-CuO Nanocomposites Synthesis for Effective Uptake of Cadmium from Aqueous Solution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63623/6e753q63Keywords:
Nano-adsorbent, Cadmium, Ciprofloxacin, Adsorption, DesorptionAbstract
Toxic heavy metals have impacted a number of water bodies; wastewater treatment methods must be created to remove the pollutants from the aquatic environment. In this study, corn silk loaded with copper oxide was created and employed as a potential adsorbent for the uptake of cadmium ions, or Cd (II), from aqueous solution. Following the characterization of produced copper oxide nanoparticle loaded corn silk (CuO NPs/CS) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), the adsorption operating variables (pH, dose, contact duration, temperature, and initial metal ion concentration) were calculated. At pH 6, contact period of 60 minutes, initial cadmium ion concentration of 20 mg/L, dosage of 0.5g, and monolayer absorption capabilities of 13.32 mg/g, the nano-adsorbent exhibited optimal adsorption. The experimental results showed a heterogeneous distribution of adsorbed metal ions on the CuO NPs/CS surface, with low error values and the best fit for the Freundlich isotherm. The uptake of Cd (II) onto the produced nanomaterial surface, which indicates a chemisorption process, is best explained by pseudo-second order kinetics. The intra-particle diffusion of Cd (II) ions to surface sites took place in three steps. Thermodynamic investigation revealed that the adsorption process happened spontaneously in an endothermic situation. After five successive cycles, the degree of reusability of CuO NPs/CS was evaluated, further demonstrating its potential for financial gain. In addition to pore filling, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, the characterisation and adsorption studies revealed the predominance of electrostatic attraction. The present work affirms that synthesized CuO NPs/CS could possess a promising application to cadmium ion removal from aqueous medium.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Chisom Theresa Okoye, Genevieve N. Ezekoye , Austin E. Ozukwe , Emmanuella O. Udebuani, Deborah C. Okoliko, Esther C. Nwoke , Anthony O. Marcel (Author)
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