Intensified elimination of aqueous heavy metal ions using chicken feathers chemically modified by a batch method

Abstract Modified chicken feathers (MCFs) were used as adsorbents for the removal of Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) and Ni(II) heavy metal ions from water, varying pH, adsorbent concentration and time. MCFs were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Adsorption of N2 at −196 °C, Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD). The adsorption isotherm for the metal ions could be well explained by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 200.0, 50.0, 43.47, and 4.85 mg/g, following the sequence: Cu(II) > Co(II) > Fe(II) > Ni(II), respectively. Removal efficiencies of Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) and Ni(II) ions were 98.7%, 98.9%, 98.7% and 99%, respectively, for 20 mg/L concentration. The study of the adsorption kinetics for metal ions on MCFs confirmed that the process followed a pseudo second order kinetic model in all cases. The thermodynamics showed that the adsorption processes for metal ions adsorption on MCFs were spontaneous and endothermic. MCFs exhibited a good recyclability and high adsorption efficacy after 7 cycles using a 0.1 M EDTA solution, maintaining 90% of the adsorption ability.