Biosorption of Cd(II) ions from its aqueous solutions using powdered branches of Trifolium resupinatum: equilibrium and kinetics

Abstract

Cadmium(II) is well known for its toxicity and its removal is a prominent task in the field of environmental research. Trifolium resupinatum (TR) has been investigated for the biosorptive removal of Cd(II). The material was characterized by FTIR and SEM. These well established the nature of functional groups and the surface morphology. The effects of various process parameters including time of contact, concentration, pH and temperature were optimized. The maximum removal was observed at 20 min and a pH of7. The equilibrium was described by the Langmuir model showing the maximum biosorption of 31.95 mg/g. The binding of Cd(II) ions was found to be endothermic in nature. The biosorbent from T. resupinatum was found to adsorb potentially the toxic metal ions from its aqueous solutions.