African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5236

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of magnetic field, pH and retention time on the lead (Pb2+) adsorption by modified human hair, goat hair and sheep wool

Leila Mahdavian    
Department of Chemistry, Doroud Branch, Islamic Azad University, P. O. Box: 133, Doroud, Iran.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected].

  •  Accepted: 30 November 2011
  •  Published: 09 January 2012

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate the removal of lead from water by modified sheep wool, human hair and goat hair because of their low cost than other methods. The modified keratin fibers by NaOH (0.1 N), is used in the elimination of Pb2+ ions from water. The effects of pH solution, initial concentration of lead in solution, retention time and magnetic field on elimination of Pb2+ were evaluated. The adsorption isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich and BET models are used for adsorption of Pb2+ on modified sheep wool, human hair and goat hair (modified keratin fibers). Results showed that the adsorption power will better increase by fibers of pH~ 5.8 and one hour of retention time in magnetic field; so human hair is better than other fibers for removal of Pb2+. Based on the results, BET adsorption isotherm shows better adaptation in comparison with other cases.

 

Key words: Pb2+ removal, modified keratin fibers, magnetic field, adsorption isotherm of Langmuir, Freundlich and BET models.