Tinospora cordifolia derived biomass functionalized ZnO particles for effective removal of lead(II), iron(III), phosphate and arsenic(III) from water

Owing to the vast diversity in functional groups and cost effectiveness, biomass can be used for various applications. In the present study, biomass from Tinospora cordifolia (TnC) was prepared and grafted onto the surface of ZnO particles following a simple method. The TnC functionalized ZnO particles (ZnO@TnC) were characterized and exhibited excellent adsorption properties towards Pb2+ (506 mg g−1), Fe3+ (358 mg g−1) and PO43− (1606 mg g−1) and the Fe3+ adsorbed ZnO@TnC adsorbs AsO21− (189 mg g−1); the metal ions and anions were analyzed by ICP and IC. For reuse of ZnO@TnC, a desorption study was successfully carried out using NaOH and EDTA for PO43− and Pb2+, respectively; Fe3+ was further used for adsorption of As(III). The adsorption fits well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and the adsorption kinetic data are best fitted with a pseudo-second-order equation. The system developed may be useful for treatment of waste water and industrial effluents.