Cd (II) and Ni (II) uptake by novel biosorbent prepared from oil palm residual biomass and Al2O3 nanoparticles

Major efforts have been made relating to the development of novel biosorbents applied to remove wastewater pollutants such as heavy metal ions and dyes. This work is focused on preparing a biosorbent from oil palm bagasse and alumina nanoparticles and using it for cadmium and nickel uptake. FT-IR, SEM and EDX analyses were carried out to test the diversification of functional groups, morphology and elemental composition. Batch adsorption experiments were performed varying pH (2, 4 and 6) and particle size (0.355, 0.5 and 1 mm) in order to determine suitable parameter values for further experiments using chemically modified biomass. The presence of absorption bands attributed to bonds with aluminum indicated a successful synthesis of this biosorbent. The carbon and oxygen elements most contribute to biosorbent composition due to the nature of this lignocellulosic biomass. The highest removal yields (87% for cadmium and 81% for nickel) were achieved at pH = 6 and particle size = 0.355 mm. In addition, the modification with alumina nanoparticles using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as organic solvent reflected no significant enhancement of adsorption process. [Display omitted] •Preparation of an efficient biosorbent from the bagasse of oil palm.•Removal yields up to 87% can be achieved using oil palm bagasse as biosorbent.•No significant increase on removal yield for OPB modified with Al2O3 nanoparticles.•Highest removal yields reached at solution pH = 6 and particle size = 0.355 mm.