African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (10), pp. 1113-1116, October 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Competitive adsorption of Zn (II), Cd (II) AND Pb (II) ions from aqueous and non- aqueous solution by maize cob and husk

IGWE J. C.^1*.,OGUNEWE D. N.¹ and ABIA A. A.²

¹Department of industrial Chemistry, Abia State University, P.M.B. 2000, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Department of pure and industrial chemistry, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-Mail: jcigwe2001@yahoo.com. Phone: 234-803-675-2059.

Accepted 21 July, 2005

Heavy metals rank as major environmental pollutants. Industrial wastewater effluents carry admixtures of these heavy metals. The competitive adsorption of Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ metal ions from aqueous and non-aqueous solutions by unmodified and modified maize cob and husk was investigated. The results showed that maximum adsorption occurred at 495.9 mg/g for Zn²⁺ ion, 456.7 mg/g for Pb²⁺ ion and 493.7mg/g for Cd²⁺ ion without modification. The adsorption in a mixture of the metal ions caused a leveling effect on the adsorption capacity of the maize cob and husk. The adsorption efficiency of each metal ion was influenced by the presence of other metal ions, presence of non-aqueous solvent and modification by carboxymethylation. The study significantly reveals the presence of other heavy metals and chemicals as design parameter in the treatment and management of heavy metal pollutants using cellulosic materials.

Key words: Competitive adsorption, mixed metal ions, aqueous and non-aqueous solution, maize cob and husk.