Optimization of Pb(II) Removal using Magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃/KCC-1 Synthesized from Palm Oil Fuel Ash

Abstract

The pollution of lead, Pb(II) in water bodies has severely threatened the environment and human health due to its toxicity. Thus, removing Pb(II) from water bodies is an imperative task. In this study, the removal of Pb(II) using magnetic Fe₂O₃/KCC-1 synthesized from Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) was explored. The characterization analysis confirmed a successful preparation of Fe₂O₃/KCC-1 with BET surface area and pore volume of 401 m²g^-1 and 0.90 cm³g^-1, respectively. The optimization by response surface methodology (RSM) with independent variables of initial Pb(II) concentration (X₁), Fe₂O₃/KCC-1 dosage (X₂), and initial pH (X₃) was performed. The ANOVA analysis exhibited that the most significant parameter was initial Pb(II) concentration. The maximum Pb(II) removal of 91% experimentally and 90.11% predictably were accomplished under optimum conditions (X₁ = 302.37 mg/L, X₂  = 2.44 g/L, and X₃ = 5.7). The findings revealed that the magnetic Fe₂O₃/KCC-1 has the potential to serve as an excellent adsorbent for the elimination of Pb(II) from an aqueous solution.