Banana leaves as adsorbents for removal of metal ions from waste water

Banana leaves and its derivatives are used as ion exchanger. Incorporation of different functional groups, e.g. phosphate, sulfate and phosphosulfonate onto banana leaves and its constituents (lignin and cellulose) increases their efficiencies toward metal ions uptake. Effect of different treatments on bleached banana leaves as acid or alkali treatment increases the amount of incorporated functional groups. Effect of ion exchange concentration on the affinity of metal ions sorption was investigated. The binding capacity of the produced phosphosulfonate and treated banana leaves toward some metal ions in mixtures was studied. The use of ion exchangers in columns was indicated. Activation of the produced ion exchanger with acid before uses was also carried out. The increase of surface of ion exchanger by mixing with sand in columns was also investigated. Molecular structure of the produced ion exchanger was followed by using infrared spectroscopy.