ISSN: 2410-9649 Chidi and Kelvin / Chemistry International 4(4) (2018) 221-229 iscientic.org. 221 www.bosaljournals/chemint/ editorci@bosaljournals.com Article type: Research article Article history: Received June 2018 Accepted September 2018 October 2018 Issue Keywords: Potato peels Adsorption Heavy metal FT-IR Modeling The removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous medium was studied using potato peels biomass. The adsorption process was evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Vibrational band of the potato peels was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption process was carried out with respect to concentration, time, pH, particle size and the thermodynamic evaluation of the process was carried at temperatures of 30, 40, 50 and 60( 0 C), respectively. The FTIR studies revealed that the potato peels was composed of –OH, -NH, –C=N, –C=C and –C-O-C functional groups. The optimum removal was obtained at pH 8 and contact time of 20 min. The adsorption process followed Freundlich adsorption and pseudo second-order kinetic models with correlation coefficients (R 2 ) greater than 0.900. The equilibrium adsorption capacity showed that Pb(II) ion was more adsorbed on the surface of the potato peels biomass versus Cd (II) ion (200.91 mg/g > 125.00 mg/g). The thermodynamic studies indicated endothermic, dissociative mechanism and spontaneous adsorption process. This study shows that sweet potato peels is useful as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous medium. © 2018 International Scientific Organization: All rights reserved. Capsule Summary: The removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous medium was studied using potato peels biomass, which was found highly efficient for the adsorption Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions and could possibly be extended for the other removal of divalent metal ions. Cite This Article As: O. Chidi and R. Kelvin. Surface interaction of sweet potato peels ( Ipomoea batata) with Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in aqueous medium. Chemistry International 4(4) (2018) 221-229. INTRODUCTION The extent of heavy metal pollution in our environment has undergone dramatic increase with increasing population and sophistication in human activities, especially since the beginning of industrial revolution (Nriagu, 1979). Its presence in the environment is of major concern because of their toxicity to many life forms. Various industries produce and discharge wastes containing different heavy metal concentrations into the environment; such noxious environment is as a result of intense mining, smelting, metal finishing, leather tanning, dyeing, radioactive material processing, pesticide and fertilizer application, etc (Agouborde and Navia, 2009). Chemistry International 4(4) (2018) 221-229 Surface interaction of sweet potato peels ( Ipomoea batata) with Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in aqueous medium Obi Chidi* and Robinson Kelvin Physical Chemistry Unit, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria *Corresponding author’s E. mail:zarasexcom@yahoo.com ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT