Journal of Applied Chemical Science International

BIOSORPTION OF THORIUM FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY Moringa oleifera BARK: EQUILIBRIUM AND KINETIC STUDIES

ABDULHAKIM A. JANGHER

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Tripoli University, P.O.Box 13203, Tripoli, Libya

BASHER M. MAHARA

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Tripoli University, P.O.Box 13203, Tripoli, Libya

SHABAN W. AL-RMALLI *

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Tripoli University, P.O.Box 13203, Tripoli, Libya

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

In this study, a biosorbent was successfully applied to remove thorium metal Th(IV) from aqueous solutions. Moringa oleifera bark was fractionated into 60-mesh particles to perform characterization and extraction experiments. The adsorption kinetics for Th(IV) followed a pseudo second-order model, and small difference between the experimental and calculated Q_eq values [4.38 and 3.32 mg/g for Q_eq(exp.) and Q_eq(cal.), respectively] was observed. The maximum capacity (Q_max) value calculated using the modified Langmuir equation 5.46 mg/g.

Keywords: Biosorption, Freundlich isotherm, kinetic studies, Langmuir isotherm, Moringa oleifera, thorium

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