Adsorption–Desorption Study Using Pandanus Amaryllifolius Roxb (Pandanus Leaves)

The recovery of heavy metals such as lead and copper ions from biomass was examined using a variety of desorbing chemicals. The objective of this study was to investigate the capability of Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb (pandanus leaves) in adsorbing heavy metals from the simulated wastewater and to evaluate the performance of the desorbing chemicals suitable for regeneration purposes. Batch experiments were conducted to study the adsorption of the metal ions in which the leaves in powdered form were exposed in the copper and lead ion solutions. The results showed that Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb was able to adsorb 40% and 60% of copper and lead ions from the solutions, respectively. In the desorption experiment, various desorbing chemicals were added to different batches containing the biomass to leach metal ions previously adsorbed. The results showed that low pH favoured desorption of the metal ions. Both HCl and EDTA were able to leach more than 90% of copper ions 70% of lead ions bounded on the biomass. On the contrary, Na2CO3 and NaOH were not effective in desorbing both the metals. The recovery of metal ions was mainly due to the strength of bonding between the fraction of functional group of biomass and metal ions. Desorbing chemicals such as HCl and EDTA have been proven successful in desorbing the metal ions and regenerating the biomass.