Removal of Europium from aqueous solution using Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan

ABSTRACT

The current study deals with the utility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) immobilized in glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan matrix for the removal of Eu(III) from aqueous solution. The biosorbent was characterized using FT-IR, SEM-EDX, XRD, TGA, and XPS analysis. Experimental variables that influence the adsorption were studied and the concentration of Europium was determined by ion chromatography. At pH 5.0, the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The biosorbent gave a Langmuir adsorption capacity of 19.41 mg g⁻¹ and followed pseudo second-order kinetics. The regeneration of biosorbent was achieved using potassium thiocyanate and the method showed good selectivity.

KEYWORDS:

• Europium
• chitosan
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• adsorption

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the project grant from Department of Science and Technology, SERB, India (EMR/2016/005231). We are thankful to Sprint testing solutions, Mumbai and the surface characterization lab, IIT Kanpur, India for their assistance in SEM, EDX, and XPS characterizations. We acknowledge the Central Analytical Laboratory, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, India for supporting the other analytical characterizations of the biosorbent.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the DST-SERB, India under Grant [EMR/2016/005231].