Adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution to Ni-doped bamboo charcoal

Bamboo charcoal (BC) obtained by pyrolysis of Makino bamboo in the absence of oxygen was used as support for the preparation of Ni-doped adsorbent (Ni-BC). The low-cost composite was characterized and used as an adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from water. The results showed that both BET surface area and total pore volume of Ni-BC increased. The adsorption of Pb(II) strongly depended on solution pH, temperature and ionic strength. The adsorption isotherms followed Langmuir isotherm model well, and the maximum adsorption capacities of Pb(II) at 298 K were 25.0 and 142.7 mg/g for BC and Ni-BC, respectively. The adsorption processes were well fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorptions of Pb(II) onto both adsorbents were feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic under the studied conditions. The spent Ni-BC could be readily regenerated for reuse.