Adsorption of lanthanide ions from an aqueous solution in multicomponent systems using activated carbon from Banana Peels (Musa Paradisiaca L.)

Lanthanides in aqueous waste streams have received great attention due to their ability to pollute the environment. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to adsorbing lanthanides from waste industries. The evaluation of agro-waste by determining the adsorption efficiency of Ln³⁺ ions is an important step in developing a process for Ln³⁺ removal from water systems, as well as a method of isolating Ln³⁺ ions from mineral ores, such as low-grade bauxite. The adsorption performance of banana peels (Musa paradisiaca L.) was evaluated in the removal of Ln³⁺ ions. In addition, the adsorption of lanthanide ions from an aqueous solution in a multicomponent system was studied using activated carbon from banana peels. The selection of the best adsorbent was done by the iodine number method, where activated carbon had the highest iodine absorbance at 572.2 mg/g. The use of activated carbon as an adsorbent for the removal of commercial lanthanide ions from an aqueous solution was evaluated. The optimum condition in the Ln3+ multicomponent system for the adsorption of Y³⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Sm³⁺ ions was determined to be a contact time of 2.5 h, a pH of 4, and an adsorbent dosage of 100 mg. The present research further supports the possibility of the adsorption of Ln³⁺ ions from low-grade bauxite with adsorption efficiencies of 67.6, 71.0, 65.0, 62.9, and 56.6% for Y³⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Sm³⁺, respectively.