Removal of lead(II) from aqueous solutions using pre-boiled and formaldehyde-treated onion skins as a new adsorbent

The adsorption characteristics of Pb²⁺ on pre-boiled treated onion skins (PTOS) and formaldehyde-treated onion skins (FTOS) were evaluated. The effects of Pb2+ initial concentration, agitation rate, solution pH, and temperature on Pb²⁺ adsorption were investigated in batch systems. Pb2+ adsorption was found to increase with increase in initial concentration. The point of zero net charge (PZC) was 6.53. The optimum pH for the maximum removal of Pb²⁺ was 6.0. The adsorption equilibrium data was best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model for FTOS and the Freundlich isotherm model for PTOS. The maximum amounts of Pb2+ adsorbed (qm), as evaluated by the Langmuir isotherm, was 200 mgg^-1 for FTOS. The efficiencies of PTOS and FTOS for Pb²⁺ removal were 84,8.0% and 93.5% at 0.15 g/200mL^-1 adsorbent dose, respectively. (C₀=50 mg L^-1). Study concluded that onion skins, a waste material, have good potential as an adsorbent to remove toxic metals like Pb²⁺ from water. Boehm titration analysis was conducted to determine the surface groups. It was found that the adsorption kinetics of Pb²⁺ obeyed pseudo-first-order kinetic model as based on Δq (%) values. FTIR and SEM images before and after adsorption was recorded to explore changes in adsorbent-surface morphology. Activation energy (Ea) was obtained as 25.596 kJ/mol.