Adsorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solution by activated carbon prepared from cow dung.

Abstract

The adsorption of lead (II) onto activated carbon prepared from cow dung was studied under various conditions such as temperature, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage and concentration of adsorbate. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted and the result showed that the adsorption was pH, temperature, contact times, and adsorbate concentration dependent, but was partly dependent on the adsorbent dosage. It was rapid, stable and occurs in less than 100 minutes. This study showed that activated carbon prepared from cow dung is suitable for the adsorption of metal ions and as such could be used as a cost effective adsorbent in the treatment of the industrial wastewater.