Evaluation of new chemically modified coconut shell adsorbents with tannic acid for Cu (II) removal from wastewater

The adsorption of Cu (II) from aqueous solutions using coconut shell modified powder was investigated in batch experiments. The surface charge of the adsorbent was determined. The points of zero charge (PZC) of the adsorbents (pH PZC ) were 4.5, 2.0, and 2.0 to raw coconut (RC), raw coconut alkalized (RCA), and coconut shell modified with tannic acid (TCA) adsorbent, respectively. Batch experiments were performed under kinetic and equilibrium conditions. The kinetic data were analyzed using a pseudo second‐order, and Elovich equation. Adsorption equilibrium data were investigated using the Langmiur, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Raduschevich (D–R) isotherm models. It has been found that chemically modified coconut shell (TAC) affected performance when compared with unmodified coconut shell (RC). Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo‐second‐order rate model. Biosorption kinetics of Cu(II) on the adsorbent TCA was rapid such that almost 90% of Cu(II) were adsorbed within 80 min. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 40744.