Utilization of Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) Feathers for the Adsorption of Lead from Aqueous Solution: Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies

The sorption capacity of Dromaius novaehollandiae feathers (DNF) was evaluated for adsorption of lead from aqueous solution. The optimum conditions viz. contact time, pH, initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature were studied by one variable at a time method in a batch mode. Adsorption equilibrium was established by 70min. The desired pH of the aqueous solution was found to be 4.0 with an initial adsorbate concentration of 20mg/ L and an adsorbent dosage of 0.5g. The pseudo first order and pseudo second order models were applied to study the kinetics of sorption process. Kinetic data were best described by pseudo second order model. The fitness of the adsorption data for Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were investigated and fitted well to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the process was spontaneous, irreversible and endothermic in nature. The adsorbent was characterized before and after adsorption by SEM- EDS, FTIR and XRD. The present data confirms that emu feathers (a poultry waste) could better be used as adsorbent for efficient removal of lead ions from contaminated water.