Removal of metal ions Cd (II), Pb (II), and Cr (III) from water by the cashew nut shell Anacardium occidentale L

Abstract Current paper analyzes the cashew nut shell ( Anarcadium occidentale L.) (CNS 1 ) as a natural adsorbent in the removal of the metal ions Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , and Cr 3+ from contaminated water. Adsorbent was characterized as to its chemical and structural composition by infra-red spectroscopy (IR 2 ); as to its morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM 3 ); and point of zero charge (pH PCZ 4 ). Best adsorption conditions (pH, adsorbent mass, contact time) were determined. Adsorption kinetics was evaluated by pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion mathematic models, whereas adsorption isotherms were linearized according to mathematical models by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R 5 ). The effects of initial concentration, temperature in the process, de-sorption and the comparison with activated coal were also performed. SEM and IR showed positive characteristics to adsorption. Further, pH PCZ of CNS lay between 3.69 and 4.01. Best adsorption conditions of the ions Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , and Cr 3+ were pH 5.0; adsorbent mass: 12 g L −1 ; equilibrium time 60 min. Pseudo-second order and D–R models suggested the predominance of chemo-sorption process. Adjustment of Langmuir and Freundlich models suggested adsorption in mono- and multi-layers. Thermodynamic study showed that the process was spontaneous for Cd 2+ at 15 and 25 °C. CNS had high desorption rates for Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ , but low desorption with Cr 3+ . CNS has a potential to aggregate economical rate and increase the crop’s productive chain when the residue is used for the removal of Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , and Cr 3+ from water.