Adsorptive removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by fermented sweet sorghum residues as a novel biosorbent

Abstract

Sweet sorghum straw is a kind of natural wood cellulose with high porosity and high specific surface, which is theoretically conducive to the physical adsorption of heavy metal ions. In this paper, we reported a new biosorbent, the fermented sweet sorghum residues (FSSR), which is a byproduct of bioethanol production by fermentation of sweet sorghum straw, for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The properties of the adsorption of Cu(II) on SSR and FSSR were studied and compared. The adsorption process of Cu(II) by SSR and FSSR conformed to the Elovich kinetic model. The isothermal adsorption process conformed to the Freundlich and the Tempkin models. The adsorption capacity of FSSR for Cu(II) was increased with the increase of pH. The adsorption mechanism of Cu(II) by FSSR was mainly attributed to ion exchange. SSR and FSSR were characterized by SEM-EDS, FTIR and XRD. The surface of FSSR had microporous structure, the content of –OH and other active functional groups increased. The fermentation has a certain destructive effect on the crystal structure of cellulose with the increase of amorphous structure. Therefore, fermentation process could be regarded as an effective means of microbial modification, to destroy the structure of the straw and result in the porous structure, which improved the adsorption capacity of SSR for heavy metals. FSSR could be used as a potential biosorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solution. Ethanol fermentation might be an effective method to improve performance of biosorbent for Cu adsorption.