Removal of Cu(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) Ions from Ternary Solution by Free and Entrapped in PVA-Hydrogel Biomass of Penicillium Cyclopium

ABSTRACT

Batch sorption equilibrium experiments using free and immobilized Penicillium cyclopium biomass in PVA-hydrogel were carried out using ternary mixture of corresponding metal ion solutions. The metal binding ability of the hybrid hydrogel for Cu(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) ions was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The performance of free and immobilized biosorbent was evaluated by sorption kinetics and sorption capacities for different metal ions in the mixture. The immobilized system showed higher removal efficiency (expressed as mg metal ions removed per mg metal ions added) in comparison to the free-cell system. In addition, the immobilized system showed two-fold shorter time for reaching the equilibrium in comparison to the free cells. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was applied to the multi-component experimental data and important kinetic parameters of the biosorption process were calculated. The data obtained are in agreement with the assumption that the external mass transfer limitation in the immobilized system can be neglected and biosorption is chemisorption controlled. The immobilized system of organic polymer with entrapped fungal biomass showed high biosorption performance and may be used successfully for the removal of Cu(II), Co(II) and Fe(III) ions from ternary mixed solutions.

Key words:

• heavy metals biosorption
• Penicillium cyclopium
• second order kinetics