Biosorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous effluents by blackgram bran (BGB).

Biosorption of Cu(II) ions onto blackgram bran (BGB) waste biomass in a well stirred batch system was investigated and optimum conditions were determined. The maximum Cu(II) uptake capacity of BGB was 107.65 mg L(-1) at pH 5, biosorbent dose 0.025 g/100mL, biosorbent particle size <0.250 mm at an initial metal concentration of 50 mg L(-1) achieved after equilibrium time of 480 min. The equilibrium data fitted very well to Langmuir isotherm model as compared to the isothermal model of Freundlich. The pseudo 1st and 2nd order kinetic models were used to describe the kinetic data. The experimental data fitted well to 2nd order kinetic model. Due to its outstanding Cu(II) ions uptake capacity, BGB biomass proved to be an excellent material of bioorigin for accumulating Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions.