Sorption of lead from aqueous solutions by spent tea leaf

Abstract

An adsorbent was prepared using spent tea leaf and was used to remove lead (Pb) from solution. The Pb removal by the spent tea leaf adsorbent depended on pretreatment of spent tea leaf, adsorption contact time and adsorbent dosage. The optimum pretreatment conditions were confirmed to be that tea leaf was ground to 0.28-0.45 mm in diameter and then drenched in 0.3 M NaOH for 12 h. Adsorption kinetic study showed that the adsorption of Pb onto the spent tea leaf followed the pseudo-secondorder
model. The adsorption was time dependent and adsorbent dosage dependent. The optimum contact time was 8 h.