Removal of Cr(VI) from water by cork waste

The biosorption by cork powder is considered as a promising method for heavy metal removal from industrial waste waters such as chromium tanning factories. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency extent of this method using cork powder as a biosorbent for Cr(VI). The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis permits to distinguish the type of functional groups likely to participate in metal binding. A linear form of BET isotherms for all the three used temperatures (i.e., 25, 35 and 45 °C) and a pseudo-second-order equation of adsorption kinetics are obtained. Other experimental results highlight the meaningful influence of parameters such as contact time, pH, concentration of Cr(VI) and the adsorbent particle size on Cr(VI) adsorption. 97% of Cr(VI) has been removed under definite conditions particularly a particle size of diameter d < 0.08 mm and pH of 2–3 values.