@article{Romanus2025, 
author = {Ekere Nwachukwu Romanus and Mbaeze Blessing Chidiebere and Chukwu Sarah Chioma and Ugwuaba Sunday Vincent and Ihedioha Janefrances Ngozi},
title = {Adsorptive Removal of some Toxic Metal ions from Aqueous Solution using Moringa Oleifera Root Powder Biochar: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies},
year = {2025},
journal = {Environmental Chemistry and Safety},
volume = {1},
number = {2},
pages = {9600007},
keywords = {Moringa oleifera, biochar, carbonization, thermodynamics, adsorption isotherm, kinetics},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/ECS.2025.9600007},
doi = {10.26599/ECS.2025.9600007},
abstract = {The high cost of imported adsorbents poses a major barrier to effective industrial wastewater treatment, increasing the risk of environmental pollution due to insufficient removal of toxic contaminants. This study investigates a sustainable, low-cost alternative using carbonized Moringa oleifera root powder (CMORP), a locally sourced, eco-friendly material, for the adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The metals studied include Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Cr3+. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the effects of adsorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration, contact time, pH, and temperature. Optimal removal conditions were: 90 minutes contact time for Pb, and 30 minutes for Cd, Cu, and Cr; pH 5; 0.6 g adsorbent for Pb, 0.8 g for the others; initial concentrations of 30 mg/L for Pb and 40 mg/L for Cd, Cu, and Cr; and temperature of 50°C for all. Among five tested isotherm models, the Temkin isotherm best described the equilibrium data. Kinetic modeling indicated that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed an endothermic adsorption process, with low enthalpy changes suggesting physisorption. These findings demonstrate CMORP’s potential as a cost-effective and efficient biosorbent for heavy metal remediation.}
}