Iron-Loaded Pomegranate Peel as a Bio-Adsorbent for Phosphate Removal

This study investigated the adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solutions using pomegranate peel (PP) as a bio-adsorbent. For this purpose, PP was activated via saponification sodium hydroxide (NaOH) followed by cationization iron chloride (FeCl3). The iron-loaded (IL-PP) characterized zeta potential measurement, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared analysis. batch method to determine equilibrium time effect pH on process. full factorial design methodology used analyze effects influencing parameters their interactions. effective removal up 90% achieved within 60 min, at 9 25 °C temperature 150 mg dose IL-PP. A non-linear for modeling isotherm kinetics. results showed that kinetics is best fitted Elovich model (R2 = 0.97), which assumes dominance chemisorption mechanism, whereas obeys both Langmuir 0.98) Freundlich 0.94) models with maximum uptake 49.12 mg·g?1. Investigation thermodynamic indicated spontaneity endothermic nature These introduce IL-PP an efficient bio-adsorbent phosphate.