Uptake of Heavy Metal Ions by Carbonaceous Material Obtained from Industrial Waste Lignin Using Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

Lignin is a major waste material from the pulp and paper industries.
Its lesser utilization and disposal problems make it a matter
of environmental concern. Therefore, in such a case, greater and
better utilization is the key to minimize the waste, that too for the
treatment of waste waters. In the present studiy, the microwave
irradiation, zinc chloride and subsequent treatment have been utilized.
It produced a good yield of carbonaceous solid material having
good capacity to uptake the toxic metal ions from aqueous
solutions. Uptake studies have been undertaken on toxic metal ions,
viz., Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr⁶⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, As³⁺ and Hg²⁺, etc. Interestingly,
the exahausted material may also be used as a solid fuel
supplement due to its high calorific value, 5400 kcal/kg.