Biosorptive Removal of Cadmium by Tinospora cordifolia (Wild Giloy)

This research reports the efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia as a biosorbent for removing cadmium ions from industrial effluents. The biosorption capacity was found to be 38.91 mg Cd/g and 43.06 mg Cd/g, in batch and column mode experiments, respectively. The work included uptake capacity, an equilibrium study, and a column study at varying pH (1-9), contact time (5-240 min), biosorbent dosages (1-8 g), and initial metal concentration (10-1000 mg/L). Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to study the dose-response behavior, and it was observed that the Freundlich model provided the highest R2 value. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated the involvement of hydroxyl, alkane, anhydride, halide, and amine functional groups. Multilayer adsorption as indicated by the Freundlich adsorption model, and multifunctional group interaction as identified in the FTIR analysis, explains the high adsorptive capacity. The biomass was successfully applied for the removal of cadmium from industrial effluents. Biosorbent also gave a higher removal percentage at a low pH value (pH 2). The feasibility and viability of the biomass for technocommercial utilization in effluent treatment appears high.