Efficient remediation of Zr(IV) using citrus peel waste biomass: Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies

•Citrus peel biomass was undergone Zr(IV) adsorption.•Process variables were optimized for maximum Zr(IV) adsorption.•Kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, FTIR and desorption studies were undertaken.•Citrus biomass proved to efficient adsorbent for Zr(IV) adsorption.

In research of low cost adsorbents for the adsorption of radioactive nuclide, citrus peel waste biomass (CPWB) was studied for the adsorption of zirconium (Zr) ions from aqueous medium. Various process variables were investigated for Zr(IV) adsorption and 3.5, 0.05 g, 40 min, 30° C and 90 mg/L pH, biosobent dose, contact time, temperature and initial Zr(IV) ions concentration, respectively were found out to be best for Zr(IV) adsorption. At optimized conditions, 42.02 mg/g Zr(IV) was adsorbed onto CPWB. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model described the Zr(IV) adsorption on to CPWB well. Thermodynamic study showed that the biosorption of Zr(IV) ions onto CPWB was feasible, spontaneous at room temperature and exothermic in nature. FTIR analysis revealed the involvement of carbonyl, hydroxyl and amino functional group in the adsorption of Zr(IV) ions onto CPWA. In view of efficient adsorption of Zr(IV) ions, CPWB is a potential candidates for the adsorption of radioactive nuclide from waste.

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