Preparation of CuO nanoparticles using Tamarindus indica pulp extract for removal of As(III): Optimization of adsorption process by ANN-GA

Abstract

Cupric oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were prepared using Tamarindus indica pulp extract and characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM analysis. The CuONPs was utilized as a nanoadsorbent for the removal of As(III) from the water. The effect of different process parameters viz. contact time, pH, initial As(III) concentration, CuONPs dose and temperature on the adsorption capacity of CuONPs and percentage removal of As(III) was investigated. Further, the process parameters were optimized through dynamic and interactive mathematical model viz. ANN-GA. Finally, maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 1152.5μg/g which was corresponding to the 99.4% removal of As(III) at ANN-GA optimized process parameters. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. Adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The equilibrium data followed the Langmuir isotherm model rather than the Freundlich model which indicated monolayer adsorption of As(III) on the energetically equivalent binding sites. The regeneration studies indicated that the uptake capacity of CuONPs decreases marginally after every adsorption-desorption cycle. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd.