Abstract
The performances of nine biosorbents derived from dead fungal biomass were investigated for their ability to remove Reactive Black 5 from aqueous solution. The biosorption data for removal of Reactive Black 5 were readily modeled using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Kinetic analysis based on both pseudo-second-order and Weber-Morris models indicated intraparticle diffusion was the rate limiting step for biosorption of Reactive Black 5 on to the biosorbents. Sorption capacities of the biosorbents were not correlated with the initial biosorption rates. Sensitivity analysis of the factors affecting biosorption examined by an artificial neural network model showed that pH was the most important parameter, explaining 22%, followed by nitrogen content of biosorbents (16%), initial dye concentration (15%) and carbon content of biosorbents (10%). The biosorption capacities were not proportional to surface areas of the sorbents, but were instead influenced by their chemical element composition. The main functional groups contributing to dye sorption were amine, carboxylic, and alcohol moieties. The data further suggest that differences in carbon and nitrogen contents of biosorbents may be used as a selection index for identifying effective biosorbents from dead fungal biomass.
Highlights
Large amounts of dyes are extensively used in the textile, leather, cosmetics, plastic, food, and pharmaceutical industries, in which many dyes are classified as both toxic to human health and harmful to aquatic ecosystems [1]
Maximum biosorption capacities for Reactive Black 5 onto biosorbents F1, F3 and F8 was achieved at pH 2, whereas the maximum values for the other six biosorbents were obtained at pH 1
The biosorption capacities of powdered fungal biomass were in range from 34.18 to 179.26 mg g21, which had competitive advantage compared to powdered activated carbon for adsorption capacity and cost
Summary
Large amounts of dyes are extensively used in the textile, leather, cosmetics, plastic, food, and pharmaceutical industries, in which many dyes are classified as both toxic to human health and harmful to aquatic ecosystems [1]. Among the different materials studied to date, activated carbon is one of the most effective adsorbent for dyes. This adsorbent is relatively expensive and presents problems with regard to final disposal [6]. Alternative adsorbents have been proposed and are being widely investigated These include natural materials derived from waste materials from industry and agriculture, as well as biosorbents that are produced from microbial biomass. The latter are often found to be even more selective than traditional ion-exchange resins and activated carbons, and potentially provide an inexpensive method for dye removal [7]
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