Activated Nanocellulose from Corn Husk: Application to As and Pb Adsorption Kinetics in Batch Wastewater

The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of Pb and As from an aqueous solution using corn residue cellulose nanocrystals (NCCs). The corn husk was subjected to alkaline digestion, followed by bleaching and esterification with 3% citric acid to obtain NCCs. A 10 ppm multimetal solution of Pb and As was prepared. The adsorption process was evaluated by adjusting the pH and NCC dosage, optimized through the nonlinear regression of empirical mathematical models. Based on the optimal parameters, the kinetics were evaluated using the PFO and PSO models. The NCCs displayed nanometer-level characteristics with a particle size less than 383.7 nm, a ζ potential in the range of -28-70 mV, pH_ZCP with an acidic tendency, a porous crystal structure as evaluated through SEM images, and the presence of functional groups with a high chelating capacity, as identified via FTIR. Optimum values of pH 8.0 and 20 mg/L of the NCC dose were found, from which it was observed that the PFO, PSO, and Elovich kinetics showed R² > 0.974, with an adsorption capacity in the order Pb > As. The adsorbent-formulated NCCs presented a good capacity to remove heavy metals from aqueous media.