Studies on greener synthesis of activated carbon based nanoparticles their characterization and application in adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions from contaminated water

Abstract

Among the various harmful pollutants, toxic heavy metals are the one which are newlineresponsible for the occurrence of serious problems in our eco-system like newlineaccumulation by plants, water contaminations, arising human health hazards, newlinecausing soil infertility and erosions, etc. These pollutants are released into the newlineatmosphere by various industries like tannery, textile, leather, electroplating, newlinemetallurgical, battery producing, coal plant, thermal power plants, and fertilizer newlineindustries etc. They can enter into the fauna via inhalation, ingestion, skin newlineadsorption and specially by drinking impure potable water and initiate several toxic newlineeffects. The non-biodegradable nature of heavy metals and bio-accumulation at newlinevery low concentrations generates hazardous impacts on flora and fauna. Many newlinetechniques viz. reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration, electrochemical deposition, ion newlineexchange, chemical precipitation, etc. are utilised for water treatment at the cost of newlinehigh currency or involvement of sophisticated instrumentations. However, newlineadsorption by activated carbon has been used comparatively at lower cost, if its newlineproduction can be done by low-cost waste materials. Hence, in current scenario newlineresearchers are looking into the need to develop efficient adsorption techniques at newlinelow cost for the removal of such toxic ions from water and wastewater. The present newline-based nanocomposite for the newlineeffective removal of some heavy metal ions viz. Chromium Cr (VI), Cadmium (Cd newlineII) and Lead (Pb II) from contaminated water. For this purpose, we have utilized newlineAgro-wastes for the production of activated carbon and nanoparticles. In this newlineconcern, we have explored the use of Ice-apple fruit shell waste for the production newlineof activated carbon and prepared Iron Oxide nanoparticles from waste orange peel newlineextracts in an eco-friendly way. The nanocomposite/nanosorbent is then developed newlineby simple immersion method and its removal efficiency is determined by newlineconducting batch adsorption studies, isothermal studies and various factors newlineaffecting the adsorption