COPPER BIOSORPTION ON ARGAN NUT SHELL: KINETIC AND THERMODYNAMIC STUDIES

This work studies the adsorption of copper from aqueous solutions using Argan nut shell (ArNS) powders. ArNS was characterized by different techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and BET. The fractal-like kinetic models, and their classical counterparts, have been used to describe the kinetic adsorption of copper on ArNS. The modeling results show that the fractal-like kinetic models fit properly the kinetic data in comparison with the classical models. Thermodynamic quantities, such as Gibbs free energy (∆G?), the enthalpy (∆H?) and the entropy change of sorption (∆S?) have also been evaluated and it has been found that the sorption process was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The reported findings indicate that Argan nut shell could be employed as a low-cost alternative adsorbent for efficient removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions.