Adsorptive removal of Fe(II) ions from water using carbon derived from thermal/chemical treatment of agricultural waste biomass: Application in groundwater contamination

The aim of the present research work is to produce the activated carbon from raw jamun fruit seeds through physical, chemical and combined physico-chemical treatment for the removal of Fe (II) ions from contaminated water. The surface functionalized and surface modified adsorbents were characterized using different analytical techniques. The surface morphology of sorbents possesses rough surface that are amorphous in nature filled with pores that are obtained due to thermal and chemical treatments. The presence of functional groups in sorbents indicates the effective interaction with Fe (II) ions in water. The parameters influencing the adsorption studies like initial Fe (II) ion concentration, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage and temperature were optimised. The results of the isotherm and kinetic studies revealed that the sulphuric acid modified followed by thermal treatment of raw jamun fruit seed showed maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of 266.9 mg/g, following Pseudo first order kinetics. The thermodynamic separation of Fe (II) ion by adsorbents were exothermic, feasible and spontaneous process. Hence, the raw jamun fruit seeds can be modified into useable carboneous product through suitable techniques for eradicating water pollutants.