Efficient adsorbents equivalent to industrially obtainable activated carbon is drawing huge attention as a proficient precursor foradsorption process. The current study is zeroed on the generation and characterization of unmodified adsorbents from peanut shell (PNS) and Eggshell (EGS) by employing standard methods (ASTM and AOAC).The physicochemical characteristics were investigated up for both PNS and EGS adsorbents, and the outcome revealed the following biomass range: moisture content (15.20 0.101 to14.50 0.110)%, volatile matter (11.20 0.110 to10.30 0.011)%, ash content (9.10 0.111 to8.80 0.110)%, pH (6.50 0.010 to6.40 0.011) fixed carbon (66.40 0.010 to 64.50 0.110)%, particle size (300.00 0.000) µm, bulk density (1.29 0.000 to 0.540 0.000)g/cm3, and surface area (750.00 0.000 to 680.00 0.100)m2/g.Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) were utilized to study the surface morphology and functional groups accordingly. The Electron dispersive X-ray spectrometer uncovered the elemental components of the adsorbents. The adsorbents had high fixed carbon contentsandlow inorganic, in conjunctionwith high surface area, making them valuable adsorbents. The FTIR examinationrevealedthepresence of functional groups such asNH, C?C,C=O, C-H and OH which are potential adsorption sitesin addition to the well-developedpore structures from SEM studies.In contrast, EDX uncovered the presence of components like carbon, oxygen, calcium, magnesium and silicon in percent weightswith PNS and EGS having carbon contents of 91.12 and 40.11% respectively. Generally, the study adsorbents possess the potential to be efficientand eco-friendly precursors fortheadsorption process.
Introduction
Agricultural wastes, including peanut shells (PNS) and eggshells (EGS), have been effectively used as eco-friendly, low-cost adsorbents in water treatment and pollution remediation, serving as alternatives to expensive commercial activated carbons (ACs). PNS, the fibrous outer covering of peanuts, and EGS, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, possess functional groups and porous structures suitable for adsorption of dyes, heavy metals, and other contaminants from wastewater.
Samples of PNS and EGS were collected, cleaned, dried, ground, and characterized for physicochemical properties such as pH, moisture content, volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon, bulk density, particle size, and surface area. Both adsorbents showed pH values around neutral (6.4-6.5), moisture content about 14.5-15.2%, volatile matter around 10-11%, ash content near 9%, and fixed carbon above 64%, indicating suitability for adsorption. EGS generally exhibited higher fixed carbon, bulk density, and surface area (750 m²/g) than PNS (680 m²/g), suggesting superior adsorption potential, though PNS had lower bulk density, which can enhance adsorption efficiency.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified functional groups (e.g., OH, NH, CH, C=O) on both adsorbents critical to the adsorption process. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed well-developed, smooth, and regular pore structures on both materials, essential for high adsorption performance.
Conclusion
The adsorbents generated, PNS, and EGS focusedin this work supposedly had moderate MC, and optimal pH alongside high fixed carbon including high SA that are pointers to outstanding adsorbents. The FTIR showed the presence of functional groups (COOH,OH,C=O, NH) that are plausible adsorption sites. The SEM results revealed the surface structure of the adsorbents (PNS and EGS)to possess the incredible features of an ideal adsorbent. The general features showed that the prepared adsorbents could be viewed as outstanding and effective precursors for the adsorption process.
References
[1] Abdullahi, A., Tsafe, AI., Liman, MG.,& Ibrahim, N. (2022). Characterization and Modification of Activated Carbon Generated from Annogeissusleiocarpus. Caliphate Journal of Science and Technology, 2:151-159.
[2] Ahmed, TAE., Kulshreshtha, G., & Hinke, M. (2019a). Value-added uses of eggshell and eggshell membranes “in Eggs as functional food and Nutraceuticals for human Health, ed. J.Wu (London). Journal of Royal Society of Chemistry2019, 359-397.
[3] Ahmed, TAE., Suso, HP., Maqbool, A., & Hinckle, MT. (2019b). Processed eggshell membrane powder: bio-inspiration for an innovative wound healing product.Journal of Material Science Engineering 95, 192-203.
[4] Ahmed, TAE., Wu, L., Younes, M., & Hincke, M. (2021). Biotechnological Application of Eggshell:Recent Advances. FrontiersinBioengineering and Biotechnology,6 (2021):675364.https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.675364
[5] Ajala, LO & Ali, EE. (2020). Preparation and Characterization of Groundnut Shell-Based Activated Charcoal. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental. Management, 24(12):2139-2146.
[6] Ajayi-Banji, A., Sangodoyin, A., &Ijaola, O. (2015). Coconut husk Char Biosorptivity in Heavy Metal Diminution from Contaminated Surface Water. Journal of Engineering Studies and Research,21 (4):7-13.
[7] ASTM D2866-94 (2014).Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils, ASTM international, West Conshohocken, PA,USA, www.astm.org.
[8] ASTM D2974 (2014).Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils, ASTM international, West Conshohocken, PA, USA, www.astm.org.
[9] ASTM D3175-11 (2014).Standard Test Methods for volatile matter determination, ASTM international, West Conshohocken, PA,USA, www.astm.org
[10] ASTM D3838 (2014)Standard Test Methods for pH determination in biosorbent samples, ASTM international, West Conshohocken, PA,USA, www.astm.org.
[11] Bello, OS, Awojuyigbe, ES., Babatunde, MA. & Folaranmi, FE (2017). Sustainable conversion of agro-wastes into useful adsorbent. Applied Water Science,7:3561-3571.
[12] Boadu, K.O., Joel, O.F., Essumang, D.K.,&Evbuomwan, B. (2018). Comparative Studies of the Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metals Adsorption Capacity of Chemical Activated Carbon from Palm Kernel, Coconut and Groundnut Shells. Journal of Applied Science Environmental. Management,22(1):1833–1839.
[13] Ebelegi, AN., Toneth, EI., &Bokizibe, MA. (2022). Determination of Physiochemical Properties of Biosorbnts Synthesized from Water Melonb Rind Using Microwave Assisted Irradiation Procedure. Open Journal of Physical Chemistry, 12:19-30.
[14] Ijaola, OO., Ogedengbe, K., &Sangodoyin, AY. (2013). On the efficacy of activated carbon derived from bamboo in the adsorption of water contaminants. International. Journal of Engineering Inventions, 2(4):29-34.
[15] Jabar, JM.,&Odusote,YA(2020). Removal of cibdcron blue 3G-A (CB) dye from aqueous solution using chemophysically activated biochar from palm empty fruit bunch fiber. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 13:5417-5429.
[16] Jacob, AG., Okunola, OJ, Uduma, AU., Tijjani, A.& Hamisu, S. (2017). Treatment ofwaste water by activated carbon developed from Borassus aethiopum.Nigerian Journal of Material Science and Engineering,6 (1):103-107.
[17] Lu, G., Qu, L., Lin, Z., Dang, Z., Yang, C.,& Xie, Y. (2017). A kind of method using the acid agricultural land soil of eggshell heavy metal pollution to carry out improving. State intellectual Property office of the People’s Republic of China, CN106269841A. Inventor; south China University of technology, assignee.1-10.
[18] Marichelvan, MK., &Azhagurajan, A. (2018). Removal of mercury from effluent solution by using banana corm and neem leaves activated charcoal. Environ. Nanotechnol. Monit. Manage10, 360-365.
[19] Nandiyanto, ABD,Oktiani, R.,& Ragadhita, R. (2019). How to Read and Interpret FTIR Spectroscope of Organic Material. Indonesian Journal of Science and Technology,4(1):97-118.
[20] Oladoja, NA., Adelagun, ROA., Ololade, IA Anthony, ET., & Alfred, MO. (2014). Synthesis of nano-sized hydrocalumite from a Gastropod shell for aqua system phosphate removal. Separation and Purification Technology124, 186-194.
[21] Onawumi, OOE., Sangoremi, AA. & Bello, OS. (2021). Production and Characterization of Groundnut and Egg Shells Activated Carbon (AC) as Viable Precursors for Adsorption. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management,25(9):1707-1713.
[22] Sangoremi, AA., Onawumi, OOE.,& Bello, OS. (2024). Modification and Characterization of Biosorbent Developed from Coconut Shell. International Journal of Basic Science and Technology10:91-101.
[23] Sangoremi, AA., Adeyeye, JA.,& Isaac, IU. (2024). Adsorptive Kinetic Mechanisms of Bromocresol Green Dye Removal from Wastewater Using Modified Groundnut Shell Adsorbent. Science World Journal 19 (4): 1049-1054.
[24] Ushedo, TR., Adeyemi, OG., Adewuyi, A., & Lau, W. (2022). Synthesis of N, N(1,3-Phenylene) dimethanimine. A useful resource for the removal of free fatty acid in waste vegetable oil. Scientific African16, e01188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01188