Title: Biomass characterisation and adsorption mechanism of Cu (II) biosorption onto fish (Catla catla) scales

Authors: Aivi Das; Avijit Bhowal; Siddhartha Datta

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700032, WB, India ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700032, WB, India ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700032, WB, India

Abstract: This study focused on the effect of various experimental parameters like adsorption kinetics, effects of pH, temperature, initial Cu(II), biosorbent dose and agitator speed on biosorption of Cu (II) from aqueous solution onto Catla catla fish scales. Analysis of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy suggested that both organic functional groups and inorganic constituent take part in the Cu (II) uptake process. Both the linear and nonlinear forms of the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models (at low concentration) predicted the equilibrium adsorption isotherm data fairly well. The maximum Cu (II) adsorption capacity of fish scale was determined to be 79.35 mg/g at 40/C and pH 5.5 by nonlinear regression. A mathematical model developed assuming the adsorption process to be diffusion controlled gave satisfactory fit to the experimental batch kinetic data.

Keywords: copper biosorption; copper (II); fish scales; FTIR; SEM; EDX; Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm; mathematical modelling; biomass characterisation; adsorption mechanisms; Catla catla; adsorption kinetics; pH; temperature; biosorbent dose; agitator speed.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2016.078242

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.81 - 94

Accepted: 11 Apr 2016
Published online: 09 Aug 2016 *

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