MUSACEAE Based Activated Carbon for Removal of Iron and Manganese in Aqueous Media.

Abstract Utilizing activated carbon (AC) made from agro-waste materials (plantain peels and banana stems) for iron and manganese removal from aqueous solutions was studied using isotherm and kinetic models via batch adsorption experiment. The activated carbon, banana stem, and ripped plantain peels (BSAC and RPPAC) was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The FTIR data showed the presence of the O-H group of phenols and carboxylic acids, which are principally responsible for the adsorption of Fe 2+ and Mn 2+ . The RPPAC and BSAC each received two treatments. The activated carbon in empty tea bags which are sealed and activated carbon that is not sealed (sealed BSAC or sealed RPPAC and unsealed BSAC or unsealed RPPAC). These two different treatment samples were utilized as an adsorbent to remove Fe 2+ and Mn 2+ from the synthetically tainted water. A batch adsorption test was performed to determine the ability and effectiveness of the activated carbons in removing iron and manganese from synthetically tainted water. Adsorption capacity was calculated from adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and adsorbate volume. The highest removal efficiency of the unsealed BSAC was 99.95% for a contact time of 30 minutes associated with Mn 2+ . For a contact time of 30 minutes, the unsealed RPPAC adsorbent had a maximum removal efficiency of 99.95% for both Fe 2+ and Mn 2+ reduction. The adsorption of Fe 2+ and Mn 2+ on both activated carbon (BSAC and RPPAC) for the sealed and unsealed samples was better represented by the pseudo-second–second-order kinetic model. The adsorption data for both contaminants were found to be best described by Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. The agro-waste materials were effective in removing iron and manganese from contaminated water.