Understanding mechanisms in the adsorption of lead and copper ions on chili seed waste in single and multicomponent systems: a combined experimental and computational study

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021-05, Vol.28 (18), p.23204-23219
• Main Authors: Forgionny, Angélica, Acelas, Nancy Y., Ocampo-Pérez, Raúl, Padilla-Ortega, Erika, Leyva-Ramos, Roberto, Flórez, Elizabeth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Chemical speciation; Complexation; Computer applications; Copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Electrostatic properties; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Functional groups; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ions; Kinetics; Lead; Metal concentrations; Metal ions; Research Article; Software; Spectroscopy; Surface chemistry; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11721-z

In the current work, a deep study to understand the adsorption phenomena occurring in single and multicomponent systems was conducted by using spectroscopic characterization, and computational tools. The experimental results showed that the adsorption capacity of chili seed is higher for Pb 2+ (48 mg/g) than Cu 2+ (4.1 mg/g) ions in single systems. However, the adsorption study in multicomponent systems provides important conclusions of the concentration effect of the metal ions, showing a significant antagonistic and competitive effect of both ions under equivalent concentrations of them (q Pb 2+ is 56% reduced) or high concentration of Pb 2+ (q Cu 2+ is 50% reduced). Computational results correlated well with the experimental ones and evidenced all interactions proposed from spectroscopy results, accounting for the occurrence of complexation and electrostatic mechanisms between metal ions and the surface oxygenated functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and carboxylate) onto chili seed. Chemistry quantum descriptors supported the reactivity behavior of the chemical species implicated. All results evidenced that Pb 2+ and Cu 2+ adsorption on chili seed surface is governed by the occurrence of combined ionic exchange, π -interaction, complexation, and electrostatic attraction.