Lead Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Date-Palm Leaf Ash in Batch System

In this study potential usefulness of date-palm leaf (Phoenix dactylifera) ashes as an inexpensive adsorbent for Pb(II) ions has been demonstrated. For this purpose, some variables such as pH, Pb (II) ion concentrations, adsorbent dosage and temperature in batch systems were investigated. The obtained results showed that the optimum pH for removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solutions was equal to 5. Also, the adsorption efficiency at 60 minutes with 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg/l Pb(II) concentrations were 99.46, 91.47, 80.49, 69.62, 57.34 and 51.29% respectively, by 0.5 g/l adsorbent dosage and at temperature of 20˚C. Consideration of adsorbent in this study showed that with increasing of adsorbent dosage from 0.1 to 2g/l the adsorption rate increased. Also, thermodynamic consideration showed that adsorption process was dependent to temperature and results showed that removal efficiency order was 40 ˚C > 30˚C > 20 ˚C. This study concluded date-palm leaf ashes, have good potential as an adsorbent to remove toxic heavy metals like lead from aqueous solutions.