Adsorption studies on fruits of Gular (Ficus glomerata): removal of Cr(VI) from synthetic wastewater.

The adsorption of Cr(VI) was studied in batch system using fruits of Ficus glomerata as adsorbent. The effect of temperature, pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration and time was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to investigate surface morphology and active functional groups present on the adsorbent surface. Thermodynamic parameters like free energy change (DeltaG(0)), enthalpy (DeltaH(0)) and entropy (DeltaS(0)) indicate the spontaneous, endothermic and increased randomness nature of Cr(VI) adsorption. Equilibrium data were fitted well with Langmuir isotherm at 50 degrees C. The magnitude of mean free energy indicates chemical nature of adsorption. The breakthrough and exhaustive capacities were found to be 5 and 23.1 mg g(-1) respectively. The applicability of the adsorbent has been demonstrated by removing Cr(VI) from electroplating wastewater. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.