Studies on the Removal of Heavy Metal from Incinerator Bottom Ash Using Carbon dot Nanoparticles from Plantain peels (Musa paradisiaca)

• Author(s): Doris F. Ogeleka ; Havestta S. Efe
• Paper ID: 1710867
• Page: 1539-1557
• Published Date: 26-09-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 3 September-2025

Abstract

Incinerator bottom ash (IBA), a by-product of mixed waste combustion, often contains toxic heavy metals that pose significant risks to soil quality, water resources, and human health when indiscriminately disposed into the environment. In this study, carbon dot nanoparticles (CDs) were synthesized from plantain peels using hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The CDs exhibited a high surface area of 999.900 m²/g, a total pore volume of 0.15540 cm³/g, and an average pore diameter of 3.005 nm, confirming their mesoporous nature. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to assess heavy metal removal from IBA. Results showed outstanding efficiencies: iron (Fe) decreased from 29.141 mg/kg to 0.001 mg/kg within 8 hrs. (480minutes), cadmium (Cd) reduced from 1,561 mg/kg to <0.001 mg/kg after 2hrs of treatment (240 minutes), similarly zinc (Zn) reduced from 1,181 mg/kg to 10.05 mg/kg after 8 hours (480 minutes) of treatment, The copper solution quality reference standard decreased from 2.0 mg/L to 0.08 mg/L after 8 hours (480 minutes) of treatment with carbon dot. The percentage efficiency for the treatment with carbon dot gave 99.99% for iron, 99.99% for cadmium, 99.15% for zinc and 79.1% of copper. Adsorption isotherm analysis revealed that the process followed the Freundlich model, with n > 1 indicating favorable adsorption. Kinetic studies demonstrated that Fe and Zn uptake proceeded mainly via physisorption (diffusion-controlled), whereas cadmium removal occurred through chemisorption, attributable to strong interactions between Cd²? and oxygen-containing functional groups (–OH, –COOH, –C=O) on the CDs. When compared with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) permissible limits (Cd: 1.00 mg/kg; Cu: 1.00 mg/kg; Zn: 50 mg/kg), all post-treatment concentrations were below threshold values, while Fe had no defined limit. These findings highlight plantain peel–derived carbon dots as an efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable adsorbent for heavy metal remediation from incinerator bottom ash.

Keywords

Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA); Carbon Dot Nanoparticles; Plantain Peels; Heavy Metal Removal; Freundlich Isotherm; NUPRC permissible limit.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Doris F. Ogeleka , Havestta S. Efe "Studies on the Removal of Heavy Metal from Incinerator Bottom Ash Using Carbon dot Nanoparticles from Plantain peels (Musa paradisiaca)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 3 2025 Page 1539-1557

IEEE:
Doris F. Ogeleka , Havestta S. Efe "Studies on the Removal of Heavy Metal from Incinerator Bottom Ash Using Carbon dot Nanoparticles from Plantain peels (Musa paradisiaca)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(3)