Open AccessThe Novel Use of Saraca thaipingensis Leaf Powder as Potential Biosorbent Material for the Removal of Chromium(VI)
Author(s) -
P. Sannasi,
Chai Swee Fern,
Stephanie Bernardine,
Lim Fan Shiang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of tropical resources and sustainable science/journal of tropical resources and sustainable science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2462-2389
pISSN - 2289-3946
DOI - 10.47253/jtrss.v3i3.533
Subject(s) - chromium , particle size , nuclear chemistry , horticulture , chemistry , mathematics , materials science , biology , metallurgy
Saraca thaipingensis or ‘Gapis’ tree, classified under the Fabaceae family is a native of Taiping; copious over Peninsular Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The withered and fallen dead leaves were collected from INTI International University’s garden walkway. To date, literature has yet to capture the use of S. thaipingensis tree parts or refuse as potential biosorbent material for the removal of heavy metals thus verifying the novelty of this study. Batch experiments were carried out with the leaf powder to study the effects of dosage, particle size and contact time towards Cr(VI) removal (%) at 1-100 mg/L. Results showed that Cr(VI) removal increased from 52.22% to 99.31% (p 0.05). The optimal Cr(VI) removal was recorded after 45 min (99.62%) and 90 min (99.76%) contact time (p > 0.05). Further characterization and optimization studies are being carried out to develop a novel, sustainable, low cost yet effective leaf powder based biosorbent material.