Preparation and Characterization of Modified Adsorbents Derived from Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Leaf

The feasibility of a new and novel adsorbent was investigated by impregnation of pawpaw leaf (Carica papaya) in H2SO4 and NaOH respectively. The adsorbents prepared were characterized using FTIR, SEM, TGA and EDX techniques respectively. Physicochemical parameters of these adsorbents such as pH, moisture content, ash content, porosity and iodine number were also carried out; the results were then compared with the expensive commercial activated carbon (CAC) parameters. A close agreement in moisture, pH, porosity, ash content and iodine number of the acid activated pawpaw leaf (Carica papaya) shows its feasibility as a good and effective adsorbent. Conclusively, the present investigation shows that acid activated C. papaya leaf is a good and viable alternative adsorbent, which could be used in lieu of expensive CAC for adsorption processes.