Sorption of copper (II) ions by pine sawdust

The sawdust of Calabrian pine was used as sorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution of copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO₄.5H₂O) at different concentrations, pHs and temperatures. The results showed that about 65–81% of Cu(II) ions in the solution could be adsorbed on the sawdust. The percentage of adsorped Cu(II) ions onto the sawdust increased with increasing initial concentration. Kinetic studies indicated that the sorption process followed the first order reversible kinetic model. It was also determined that the sorption process obeyed the Freundlich isotherm. Furthermore, the sorption thermodynamic was investigated in detail.