Isotherm Study Of The Biosorption Of Cu II From Aqueous Solution By Vigna Subterranea L. Verdc Hull.

Abstract - The removal of CuII ions from aqueous solutions is critical to minimize its toxicity to both plants and animals. Vigna subterranea l. Verdc hull VSVH was investigated for its potential to remove CuII ions from wastewaters. Batch equilibrium studies were carried out to optimize pH contact time and dosage at constant temperature 25 1 oC and agitation rate 180 rpm. The effect of initial CuII ion concentration was investigated under optimized conditions pH 6 contact time of 60 minutes and dosage of 6 gL and the equilibrium data were analyzed using two parameter isotherms Temkin Langmuir and Freundlich models. The equilibrium data fitted the isotherms in the order Langmuir Freundlich Temkin all with R2 0.98. The biosorption of CuII ions by VSVH was found to be favorable 0 RL 1 and 1n 1 endothermic spontaneous 268710Go -11.11 kJmol and chemisorption in nature. Very high removal efficiency and maximum sorption capacity were realized indicating the viability of the removal of CuII ions by the novel biosorbent. The use of VSVH for the removal of CuII ions from wastewaters can be implemented as a standalone technology or coupled with the conventional methods in order to complement their wastewater cleaning potentials.