Generation and Characterization of Adsorbents Derived from Unmodified Peanut and Egg Shells

Abstract

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

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Abidemi Anthony Sangoremi . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.