Adsorption of cadmium in vegetable sponge (Luffa cylindrica)

Abstract

The use of biomass as an adsorbent material follows the principles of sustainability and Green Chemistry. Given the low cost, high abundance, easy availability and high adsorption capacity of the vegetable sponge (Luffa cylindrica), this study aimed to explore the adsorption process of the toxic metal cadmium (Cd). The parameters evaluated were pH, contact time, adsorption isotherms, thermodynamic parameters, percolation and desorption. The proposed method showed high retention of Cd ions, being 99.80% at pH 5.0 for the percolation method, more effective than with stirring, which had 89.6%. It is noteworthy that the vegetable sponge adsorbs significant amounts of Cd in the range of pH 4.0 to 6.0, indicating that is not necessary to adjust pH for most treatments in real samples. The Cd ion is spontaneous and favorably adsorbed by this material, according to the Freundlich isotherm model. According to the obtained results, it is feasible to use vegetable sponge as a material for the remediation of effluents due to high retention of Cd ions.