Title: A novel extracellular biopolymer produced from Pseudomonas fluorescens C-2: preparation, characterisation and adsorption behaviours towards nickel(II) ions in aqueous solution

Authors: Mao Yanli; Hu Hongwei; Yan Yongsheng; Ou Hongxiang

Addresses: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu Zhenjiang, 212013, China; Environment and Municipal Engineering Department, Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan, Henan, 467001, China. ' Environment and Municipal Engineering Department, Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan, Henan, 467001, China. ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu Zhenjiang, 212013, China. ' School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu Zhenjiang, 212013, China

Abstract: A novel extracellular biopolymer (PFC02) was prepared from Pseudomonas fluorescens C-2 for the removal of nickel(II) ions from aqueous solution. The prepared PFC02 was characterised by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) analysis. The maximum nickel(II) adsorption was obtained at pH 4.5. The Langmuir isotherm better fitted the adsorption data with the monolayer adsorption capacity of 88.49 mg g⁻¹ at 25°C. The kinetic rates were best fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. Both light and heavy metal ions decreased nickel(II) binding by PFC02, with iron ions and aluminium ions showing a more pronounced effect than sodium ions and potassium ions, while the interfering heavy metal ions followed the order: copper(II) > cadmium(II) > zinc(II). The prepared PFC02 can be used as an effective, low-cost promising sorbent for the removal of nickel from aqueous solution.

Keywords: extracellular biopolymers; nickel removal; adsorption isotherms; adsorption kinetics; Pseudomonas fluorescens; heavy metals; aqueous solutions; sorbents.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2012.046189

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2012 Vol.6 No.1, pp.74 - 93

Published online: 18 Sep 2014 *

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