Extraction and modification of cellulose from peanut shells and cornstalks and for use as adsorbents for removal of lead

The requirement for novel adsorbents from inexpensive sources, directs this research towards innovation of new adsorbent materials through extracting and modifying cellulose fibres from peanut shells and corn stalk. The processes involved delignification, alkaline hydrolysis, acetylation of pure cellulose and the adsorption of Lead Pb2+. The adsorbents obtained are pure celluloses of peanut shells (PSC), Corn stalk (CSC) and Acetyled Celluloses of Peanut Shells (PSCA) and Corn Stalk (CSCA). The Structural and functional properties were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, FTIR and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, AAS. The four adsorbents all exhibited high removal percentage of Lead from the solutions. However, acetyled Cellulose of peanut shells exhibited the highest adsorptive capacity of 397.5 mg/g with final Lead (Pb) concentration of 0.125 mg/L, the removal of Lead from solution amounted to 99.3% as compared to the other adsorbents. This research proved the efficiency of agro waste cellulose acetate for use as novel adsorbents through the Lead Adsorption. An extensive exploration in researches involving biodegradable waste materials is required to utilize this source and control environmental pollution.