Removal of Pb(II) ions by cellulose modified-LaFeO₃ sorbents from different biomasses

LaFeO₃ perovskite is prepared by the cellulose-modified microwave-assisted citrate method using two different biomasses as a cellulose source; rice straw (RS) and banana peel (BP). The prepared samples are assigned as LaFeO₃/cellulose-RS and as LaFeO₃/cellulose-BP, respectively. Raman Spectra prove the presence of perovskite and cellulose phases, as well as biochar resulted from the thermal treatment of the cellulose. LaFeO₃/cellulose-RS has a cauliflower morphology while, two phases are observed for LaFeO₃/cellulose-BP, mesoporous cellulose phase and octahedral LaFeO₃ nanoparticles as shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. LaFeO₃/cellulose-BP has higher porosity and larger BET surface area than LaFeO₃/cellulose-RS. Both samples are applied for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by adsorption. The adsorption follows Langmuir isotherm, with maximum adsorption capacities of 524 and 730 mg/g for LaFeO₃/cellulose-RS and LaFeO₃/cellulose-BP, respectively. Cellulose precursors from different biomasses affect structural and morphological properties of LaFeO₃/cellulose samples as well as the sorption performance for Pb(II) ions. BP is more recommended than RS, as a biomass, in the present study.