Bio-synthesis of Nickel -Nano Adsorbent from Fluted Pumpkin Leaf (Telfairia occidentalis) Extract for Wastewater Remediation of Heavy Metals

Abstract

The rising usage of nano-adsorbents in wastewater remediation due to the advantages they have over conventional adsorbents is a trend that cannot be ignored in the current drive to curb heavy metal wastewater pollution. Heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead and Cadmium can cause adverse health challenges, such as mutation, cancer and probism, if their concentrations in wastewater are not reduced to the acceptable regulatory body standard, before recycling and discharge into the water habitat. This study's objective was to combine Nickel nanoparticles for the remediation of wastewater. Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin leaves) were collected and the leaf extract was prepared, then, Nickel nanoparticles were biosynthesized using the obtained leaf extract as the reducing agent. The produced Nickel Nanoparticles (NiNPs) were characterized to ascertain their morphological structures, functional groups and crystalline nature using High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) respectively. The result of this study indicates that the synthesized nano-adsorbent can be used in the treatment of wastewater.