Adsorptive Removal of CD (II) from Aqueous Solution using Activated Carbon Derived from Mango Seed Coats

Heavy metal contamination of water systems remains a critical environmental challenge due to its persistence, toxicity and bio-accumulative nature. This study investigates the potential of activated carbon derived from mango (Mangifera indica) seed coats as a low cost and sustainable adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (Cd²⁺) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was prepared via carbonization followed by chemical activation and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), which revealed the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl and carbonyl responsible for metal binding.

Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of operational parameters, including initial metal ion concentration (10 to 50 mg/L) and adsorbent dosage (0.1 to 0.5 g) at an optimized pH of 5. The results indicated that adsorption efficiency decreased with increasing Cd²⁺ concentration, reaching a maximum removal efficiency of about 81.00 % at 10 mg/L. Furthermore, increasing adsorbent dosage beyond 0.1 g resulted in only marginal improvements due to possible site overlap and particle aggregation, identifying 0.1 g as the optimal dosage.

Equilibrium data were best described by the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating heterogeneous surface adsorption, while kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process followed pseudo second order kinetics, suggesting chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The adsorption process was governed by electrostatic interactions, ion exchange, and surface complexation.

The study demonstrates that mango seed coat derived activated carbon is an effective, eco-friendly and economically viable alternative for Cd²⁺ removal. This work highlights the dual benefits of agricultural waste valorization and sustainable water treatment, making it particularly relevant for resource limited environments.

Activated carbon, Mango seed coat, Cadmium removal, Adsorption, Heavy metals, Wastewater treatment, Low cost adsorbent, Biomass valorization.

1. Abd-Talib, N., Chuong, C. S., Mohd-Setapar, S. H., Asli, U. A., Pa’ee, K. F., & Len, K. Y. T. (2020). Trends in adsorption mechanisms of fruit peel adsorbents to remove wastewater pollutants (Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II)). Journal of Water and Environment Technology, 18(5), 290–313. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Abubakar, A. M., Arowo, M. N. T., Selele, M. I., Houndedjihou, D., & Nayem, Z. (2025). Jovanovic and Sips isotherm parameters of mango seed shell cadmium ion sorption from aqueous solution. Sustainable Chemical Engineering, 6(1), 35–45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Adsorption characteristics of mango (Mangifera indica) seed shell activated carbon for removing phenol from wastewater. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277652644 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Akpen, G. D., Nwaogazie, I. L., & Leton, T. (2014). Adsorption characteristics of mango (Mangifera indica) seed shell activated carbon for removing phenol from wastewater. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277652644 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Babel, S., & Kurniawan, T. A. (2003). Low-cost adsorbents for heavy metals uptake from contaminated water: A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, B97(1–3), 219–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S03043894(02)00263-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Coates, J. (2000). Interpretation of infrared spectra, a practical approach. In R. A. Meyers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry (pp. 10815–10837). John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Foo, K. Y., & Hameed, B. H. (2010). Insights into the modeling of adsorption isotherm systems. Chemical Engineering Journal, 156(1), 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.09.013 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Foo, K. Y., & Hameed, B. H. (2012). Preparation, characterization and evaluation of adsorptive properties of orange peel-based activated carbon via microwave-induced KOH activation. Bioresource Technology, 104, 679–686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.10.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Goel, J., Kadirvelu, K., Rajagopal, C., & Garg, V. K. (2005). Removal of lead(II) by adsorption using treated granular activated carbon: Batch and column studies. Journal of Hazardous Materials, B125, 211–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.05.032 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Hassan, M. S., Abdelrahim, A. O., & Elhassan, G. O. (2020). Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from peanut shells using chemical activation method. Heliyon, 6(6), e04101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04101 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Igwe, J. C., & Abia, A. A. (2006). A bioseparation process for removing heavy metals from waste water using biosorbents. African Journal of Biotechnology, 5(12), 1167–1179. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Kumar, A., Das, T., Thakur, R. S., Fatima, Z., Prasad, S., Ansari, N. G., & Patel, D. K. (2022). Synthesis of biomass-derived activated carbons and their immobilization on alginate gels for the simultaneous removal of Cr(VI), Cd(II), Pb(II), As(III), and Hg(II) from water. ACS Omega, 7, 41997–42011. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c03786 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Mengistie, A. A., Rao, T. S., Rao, A. V. P., & Singanan, M. (2008). Removal of lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions using activated carbon from Militia ferruginea plant leaves. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, 22(3), 349–360. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Mittal, A., Kurup, L., & Mittal, J. (2007). Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms and kinetics for the removal of tartrazine from aqueous solutions using hen feathers. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 146(1–2), 243–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.12.012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Mohammed, M. A., Shitu, A., & Abdul Raman, A. A. (2021). Adsorption of heavy metal ions using activated carbon prepared from biomass: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 283, 124611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124611 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Mohan, D., & Pittman, C. U. Jr. (2006). Activated carbons and low cost adsorbents for remediation of tri- and hexavalent chromium from water. Journal of Hazardous Materials, B137(2), 762–811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.06.060 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Moyo, M., Chikazaza, L., & Guyo, U. (2020). Adsorptive removal of cadmium using modified agricultural wastes: A review. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 13, 100287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2019.100287 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Ncibi, M. C. (2008). Application of biosorption for the removal of organic pollutants: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(8), 2179–2185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.04.006 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Nwabanne, J. T., & Igbokwe, P. K. (2012). Adsorption performance of packed bed column for the removal of lead(II) using oil palm fibre. International Journal of Applied Science and Technology, 2(5), 106–115. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Oke, I. A., & Lataye, D. H. (2020). Adsorptive removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) using waste mango seed kernel activated carbon. Desalination and Water Treatment, 193, 168–177. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2020.25484 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Rangabhashiyam, S., Anu, N., Giri Nandagopal, M. S., & Selvaraju, N. (2014). Relevance of isotherm models in biosorption of pollutants by agricultural byproducts. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2(1), 398–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2013.12.014 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Tan, X., Liu, Y., Zeng, G., Wang, X., Hu, X., Gu, Y., & Yang, Z. (2015). Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions. Chemosphere, 125, 70–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.12.058 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Tchobanoglous, G., Burton, F. L., & Stensel, H. D. (2003). Wastewater engineering: Treatment and reuse (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Tiwari, J., Pan, D., & Dubey, A. (2020). Utilization of mango seed kernel as a precursor for activated carbon preparation and its application in dye adsorption. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 20, 101142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.101142 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Trends in adsorption mechanisms of fruit peel adsorbents to remove wastewater pollutants (Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II)). Journal of Water and Environment Technology, 18(5), 290–313. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Zakaria, A., Aynuddin, A., & Djasmasari, W. (2023). Exploring the potential of mango seed as a bioadsorbent for Pb(II) removal in aqueous solution. Jurnal Kimia Valensi, 9(1), 155–162. https://doi.org/10.15408/jkv.v9i1.31733 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Zhang, L., Ren, Y., Xue, Y., Cui, Z., Wei, Q., Han, C., & He, J. (2020). Preparation of biochar by mango peel and its adsorption characteristics of Cd(II) in solution. RSC Advances, 10, 35878–35888. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ra06586b [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Investigating the Performance of Colour Oxide on the PS/CNSO Oil Paint Production
• Real-Time Fabric Defect Detection Using a Lightweight Deformable YOLO Network
• Recent Trends in the Stock Market: An Analytical Study of Market Dynamics, Investor Behaviour, and Technological Influence
• Evaluation of Structural Dynamics and Equilibrium State, with Case Study of Large Cantilever Projection for a 10- Storey Reinforced Concrete Building in Lagos, Nigeria.
• Multi-Criteria Evaluation of AI-Based Adaptive Learning Platforms in Global Higher Education: A Fuzzy AHP Perspective