Kinetic and mechanism studies of the adsorption of lead onto waste cow bone powder (WCBP) surfaces

This study examines the adsorption isotherms, kinetics and mechanisms of Pb2(+) sorption onto waste cow bone powder (WCBP) surfaces. The concentrations of Pb2(+) in the study range from 10 to 90 mg/L. Although the sorption data follow the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, a detailed examination reveals that surface sorption or complexation and co-precipitation are the most important mechanisms, along with possibly ion exchange and solid diffusion also contributing to the overall sorption process. The co-precipitation of Pb2(+) with the calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca-HAP) is implied by significant changes in Ca2(+) and PO?3? concentrations during the metal sorption processes. The Pb2(+) sorption onto the WCBP surface by metal complexation with surface functional groups such as ≡ POH. The major metal surface species are likely to be ≡ POPb(+). The sorption isotherm results indicated that Pb2(+) sorption onto the Langmuir and Freundlich constant q(max) and K( F ) is 9.52 and 8.18 mg g?1, respectively. Sorption kinetics results indicated that Pb2(+) sorption onto WCBP was pseudo-second-order rate constants K? was 1.12 g mg?1 h?1. The main mechanism is adsorption or surface complexation (≡POPb(+): 61.6%), co-precipitation or ion exchange Ca?(.)?? Pb?(.)?? (PO?)? (OH): 21.4%] and other precipitation Pb 50 mg L?1 and natural pH: 17%). Sorption isotherms showed that WCBP has a much higher Pb2(+) removal rate in an aqueous solution; the greater capability of WCBP to remove aqueous Pb2(+) indicates its potential as another promising way to remediate Pb2(+)-contaminated media.