Efficient removal of Congo Red by carbonized Ganoderma lucidum spore with Fe3O4

Abstract

In this study, a biomass carbon magnetic adsorbent (Fe3O4@GLSM) was prepared by using carbonized G. lucidum spores and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy proved that the G. lucidum spores after carbonization (GLSM) have hollow cage structure and increased surface depression. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer analysis demonstrated that magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully loaded on GLSM. We have investigated the affective adsorption factors of contact time, pH, and adsorbent dose on the adsorption properties of CR from aqueous solution. Adsorption process is less affected by acidity and alkalinity and can reach to adsorption equilibrium. The maximum Fe3O4@GLSM adsorption capacity is 58.4 mg. The kinetic data for the adsorption of CR were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The intra-particle diffusion model showed that the adsorption involved surface adsorption followed by diffusion. Freundlich isotherm models provided a more accurate representation of sorption isotherms than Langmuir model. The adsorption thermodynamics (ΔGθ, ΔHθ and ΔSθ) established that CR adsorption onto Fe3O4@GLSM was spontaneous and feasible. This novel magnetic biomass adsorbent can potentially serve as an effective method for removing and rapidly separating pollutants in wastewater treatment.