Abstract

The ability of dyed cassava mesocarp to remove Cu (II) and Zn (II) ions from single ion solutions (10 mg/l) has been studied. The experiments were carried out using dyed cassava mesocarp (1.0 g). The amount (mg/g) of Cu (II) adsorbed by dyed cassava mesocarp of different particle sizes 0.40 mm (DCMI) and 0.63 mm (DCMII) at the contract time of 30 min was 389 and 248.5 respectively. The amount (mg/g) of zinc (II) adsorbed by DCMI and DCMII was 45.5 and 28.5 respectively. Furthermore, the residual amount of the metal ions solution decreased as the time of agitation increased. This results show that the dye-treated cassava mesocarp (1.0 g) has the ability to remove metal ion from aqueous solution. The modification of the adsorbent as a result of dyeing with reactive dye was helpful in the removal of metal ion from aqueous solution.

Key words: Adsorption, dyed cassava mesocarp, particle sizes, contacts time.