Determination of Physiochemical Properties of Biosorbents Synthesized from Water Melon Rind Using Microwave Assisted Irradiation Procedure

Three biosorbents were prepared from Watermelon Rind (WMR) using microwave assisted procedure and then characterized using physiochemical techniques (pH, bulk density, volatile matter, surface area, ash content and moisture content). Physiochemical characterization of the synthesized biosorbents was done in order to evaluate their adsorption potentials. Accordingly, results obtained from the experiments conducted revealed the following trend: pH: Water Melon Rind treated with Sodium hydroxide (NaWMR) 8.5 > Water Melon Rind treated with Hydrogen peroxide (HP-WMR) 8.1 > Water Melon Rind treated with Distilled water (DWMR) 6.4 > Untreated Water Melon Rind (UWMR) 5.4, which suggest that NaWMR and HP-WMR possess suitable pH values for the uptake of cationic species within aqueous systems. Surface Area: analysis: UWMR (21.4 m2/g), DWMR (35.8 m2/g), NaWMR (40.6 m2/g) and HP-WMR (61.4 m2/g). This means that HP-WMR has a larger surface area and could be a preferred candidate for adsorption processes. The results obtained from this study suggest that chemical modification of Water Melon Rind (WMR) with either distilled water Sodium Hydroxide or Hydrogen peroxide by means of microwave irradiation enhances physiochemical properties which could boost the adsorption capacity of Water Melon Rind. Thus, the outcome shows that all the three synthesized biosorbents; DWMR, NaWMR and HP-WMR possess the characteristics of a good adsorbent. Accordingly, they can be applied to wastewater treatment process.