Phytochemical screening and adsorption of Cu, and Ni ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon from Cupressus sempervirens, Pinus halepensis fruits
Date
2017-09-17
Authors
عتيق, روان رائد جمال
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
جامعة النجاح الوطنية
Abstract
Background: Heavy metal ions have become hazard and toxic in environment, due to their accumulation in living organisms. Copper and nickel pollution raised from copper mining and smelting, brass manufactures, electroplating industries and excessive use in agri-chemicals. High concentration of nickel and copper causes chronic and acute diseases such as cancer of lungs, nose and bone. Many different techniques are avaliable for removing heavy metal from aqueous solution, the most effective and inexpensive method is activated carbon that used in this study.
Objectives: The current investigation aimed to remove copper and nickel ions from aqueous solution by adsorption activated carbon, as adsorbent prepared from Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis fruits using different activated agent. This study also aimed to determine the antioxidant test for volatile oil from Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis.
Methods: The samples of Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis fruits were collected from different areas of Palestine. Physical and chemical activating was studied in adsorption experiments; it was conducted at different parameters such as: concentration, pH, time, dosage and temperature. Different activated agent also studied to determine the maximum surface area for Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis fruits. SEM, EDX and iodine number tests were studied to support the results. Antioxidant capacity was estimated by using DPPH assay and UV- spectrophotometric method. In addition percentage yield of Cupressus sempervirens volatile oil was determined using ultrasonic microwave cooperative extractor/ reactor.
Results: The obtained results showed that the activated carbon produced from Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis fruits give good percentage yields which reach up 40% and 68%, respectively. Optimum percent of Cu removal was 99.9% when Cupressus sempervirens fruit activated carbon (dosage 0.2g, at pH=12) is used while Ni removal was 99.6 % (dosage 0.2g, at pH=2). Optimum percent of removal was 99.1% when Pinus halepensis fruit activated carbon (dosage 0.2g, at pH=4) is used, while Ni removal was 98.5% (dosage 0.2g. at pH=7). The results showed that equilibrium time of Cu, Ni adsorption on CFAC and PFAC is 24 hours. The optimum temperature for Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis was 25ºC.
Surface area determined by iodine number showed 726m2/g for Cupressus sempervirens using H3PO4 (phosphoric acid) as activated agent and 1257.3 m2/g using NaHCO3 (Sodium bicarbonate) for Pinus halepensis, the SEM-EDX analysis showed the same results. Adsorption isotherms were studied at 25ºC, Freundlich isotherm was fitted for Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis.
On the other hand, antioxidant activity showed different results in different areas in Palestine. The IC50 of the antioxidant Cupressus sempervirens in Palestine can be ranked: south Palestine>north Palestine>middle Palestine, and for Pinus halepensis: north Palestine>middle Palestine>south Palestine, by using Trolox as a reference.
Conclusion: Results of this study show that both of Cupressus sempervirens and Pinus halepensis may be useful for the development of method for removal of different heavy metals in different parts of these plants also it can be used as alternative to the commercial activated carbon.