Removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions by adsorption using meranti wood

Meranti wood, an inexpensive material, has been utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions. Various physico-chemical parameters such as equilibrium contact time, solution pH, initial metal ion concentration, and adsorbent dosage level were studied. Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Temkin isotherms were used to analyze the equilibrium data at different temperatures. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, indicating the monolayer adsorption of the cadmium (II). The monolayer adsorption capacity of meranti wood for cadmium (II) was found to be 175.43, 163.93 and 153.84 mg/g at 30, 40, and 50°C, respectively. The thermodynamics of cadmium (II) adsorption on meranti wood indicates its spontaneous and exothermic nature. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results indicated that the meranti wood could be an alternative for more costly adsorbents used for cadmium (II) removal.