Adsorption of Cr(6+) ion using activated Pisum sativum peels-triethylenetetramine

The adsorption of Cr(6+) ions from water-soluble solution onto activated pea peels (PPs) embellished with triethylenetetramine (TETA) was studied. The synthesized activated TETA-PP biosorbent was further characterized by SEM together with EDX, FTIR and BET to determine the morphology and elementary composition, functional groups (FGs) present and the biosorbent surface area. The confiscation of Cr(6+) ions to activated TETA-PP biosorbent was observed to be pH-reliant, with optimum removal noticed at pH 1.6 (99%). Cr(6+) ion adsorption to activated TETA-PP biosorbent was well defined using the Langmuir (LNR) and the pseudo-second-order (PSO) models, with a determined biosorption capacity of 312.50 mg/g. Also, it was found that the activated TETA-PP biosorbent can be restored up to six regeneration cycles for the sequestration of Cr(6+) ions in this study. In comparison with other biosorbents, it was found that this biosorbent was a cost-effective and resourceful agro-waste for the Cr(6+) ion confiscation. The possible mechanism of Cr(6+) to the biosorbent was by electrostatic attraction following the surface protonation of the activated TETA-PP biosorbent sites. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]