African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (7), pp. 933-938, 2 April 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Equilibrium and kinetics studies of metal ion adsorption on dyed coconut pollens

Agiri, G. O.¹*, Akaranta, O.² and Ajayi, I. O.¹

¹Industrial Safety and Environmental Engineering Department, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State Nigeria.

²Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: otasgiri@yahoo.uk.com.

Accepted 20 November, 2006

Batch equilibration studies were conducted to determine the nature of adsorption of Zn (II) and Cu (II) onto dyed coconut pollens. The nature of adsorption of metal ions was explained using the Langmuir equation. The calculated values of equilibrium parameter indicated favourable adsorption by the adsorbents. Also the calculated values of fractional attainment of equilibrium α, the intraparticle diffusion rate constant, K_a show that adsorption of metal ions is particle diffusion controlled. The adsorbent produced from coconut fibre can be used to remove heavy metals from aqueous solution with high efficiency.

Key words: Adsorption dynamics, fractional attianment of equilibrium, intraparticle diffusion.