فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Heavy metal pollution, particularly Pb (II), remains a primary environmental and public health concern due to its persistence and toxicity. This work evaluates the potential of matoa seed (Pometia pinnata) seed powder as an inexpensive and sustainable biosorbent for removing Pb (II) from aqueous systems. Before application, the material was chemically activated and examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to elucidate its structural and surface characteristics. The adsorption variables pH, initial Pb (II) concentration, and contact time were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) employing a Box–Behnken design (BBD). The optimum conditions were achieved at a pH of 6, an initial metal concentration of 600 mg/L, and a contact time of 60 min, yielding an adsorption capacity of 74 mg/g. Statistical evaluation revealed that the initial ion concentration and the quadratic term in contact time significantly influenced Pb(II) uptake. Spectral analysis confirmed the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups, while morphological and elemental examinations verified the accumulation of Pb on the biosorbent surface. These findings highlight matoa seed powder as a promising natural material for Pb(II) remediation and demonstrate the applicability of RSM for optimizing biosorption processes.