Adsorption of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solution by Mercerized Moso Bamboo Chemically Modified with Pyromellitic Dianhydride

A novel adsorbent of chemically modified moso bamboo (CMMB) for removing Pb(II) from an aqueous solution was prepared from twice-mercerized moso bamboo (MMB) using pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) as the modifying agent. The characteristics of prepared adsorbents were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR). The effects of contact time, pH, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption capacity were investigated by batch adsorption experiments. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms and kinetics of CMMB adsorbent and activated carbon were compared. Adsorption kinetics and all equilibrium data followed the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities of CMMB for Pb(II) were higher than that of activated carbon for Pb(II) at different temperatures. The thermodynamic analysis illustrated an endothermic and spontaneous process of Pb(II) removal using the CMMB adsorbent, and the regeneration studies suggest that the CMMB was a promising regeneration potential adsorbent.