Synthesis of ZnS loaded biochar nanocomposite and application towards Pb2+ ions removal: An RSM based optimization

The present study reports the synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles via green synthesis route and loading them onto the jamun seeds biochar to prepare a nanocomposite.The synthesized nanocomposite were characterized with FTIR, XRD and SEM.The synthesized ZnS nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape with size less than 5 nm.SEM images confirmed the loading of ZnS nanoparticles onto the biochar.The nanocomposite was employed in the removal of Pb 2+ ions using a developed CCD by RSM.The significance of the model was supported by the pvalue being less than 0.0001 and higher F-value.The loading capacity of the ZnS loaded biochar is calculated to be 211.0mg g -1 .The isotherm and kinetic investigations suggest the applicability of Langmuir and Pseudo second order models to the equilibrium data.The spontaneity of the process is well supported by the thermodynamic values.0.1 M HCl exhibited highest desorption ability compared to other desorbing agents and successfully regenerated the nanocomposite.The ability of the ZnS loaded biochar nanocomposite to successfully eliminate the Pb 2+ ions was