Removal of Cu²⁺ from Aqueous Solution by Alkaline-Activated Konjac Glucomannan

A raw adsorbent of konjac glucomannan was activated at strong alkaline condition. A comprehensive adsorption study of Cu2+ removal from aqueous solution by adsorption was conducted regarding the effects of initial pH, adsorbent dosage, time, temperature and Cu2+ initial concentration. The adsorption data were applied to Langmuir and Freundlich models and their contents were calculated. Thermodynamic parameter enthalpy change (△Ho) showed that physisorption played an important role in Cu2+-loaded alkaline-activated konjac glucomannan system. Experimental data were also analysed in terms of kinetic characteristics and it was found that adsorption followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics. The results obtained showed that the new adsorbent had good efficiency for the removal of Cu2+.