Kinetics,Mechanistic and Thermodynamics of Zn(II) Ion Sorption: A Modeling Approach

Biosorption potential of Cedrus deodara sawdust (CDS) in terms of sorption of Zn(II) ion across liquid phase has been evaluated in the present investigation. The surface of the CDS biomass before the sorption of Zn(II) ions seemed to be more porous, non‐crystalline and heterogeneous. The maximum uptake capacity of CDS was 97.39 mg g^?1. Sorption of Zn(II) ion on the surface of CDS sawdust was maximum at pH 5, temperature 45°C, initial concentration of Zn(II) ion 100 mg L^?1, biomass dose 1 g L^?1, contact time 150 min, and agitation rate 160 rpm. Pseudo second‐order kinetics with the highest linear regression coefficient (R² = 0.99), and lowest values of error functions, i.e., chi (χ²) and sum of square errors (SSE) against pseudo first‐order rate kinetics showed that the sorption of Zn(II) ion on the surface of CDS was mediated by chemosoprtive forces of attraction rather than physical adsorption. Mechanistically, relatively higher proportion of sorption of Zn(II) ion in early phase of contact time was profoundly explained by Bangham's equation and film diffusivity (D^f). Intraparticle or pore diffusion (D_p) of Zn(II) ion inside the pores of CDS was rate limiting step at the later stage of contact time. Furthermore, the thermodynamic study on sorption of metal ion delineated the fact that the Zn(II) sorption on the surface of CDS was spontaneous, endothermic together with increased entropy at solid liquid interface.