Novel adsorbents based upon carboxylic acid-modified Phyllostachys pubescens powder: preparation, characterization and application for adsorbing lead(II) from aqueous solution

Three high cost-effective bio-sorbents (OA-PPP, CA-PPP and TA-PPP) were prepared using Phyllostachys pubescens powder (PPP), which was modified using oxalic acid (OA), citric acid (CA) and tartaric acid (TA). Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of pH, contact time and initial Pb(II) concentration. The results showed the maximum adsorption for Pb(II) at pH 5.0. Furthermore, the proposed adsorbents could be used repeatedly for more than five cycles. Comprehensive comparison of adsorption efficiency and cost of the modified adsorbents showed that CA-PPP was the best adsorbent among the three prepared bio-sorbents, followed by OA-PPP and TA-PPP.