Removal of copper from aqueous solution by ascophyllum nodosum immobilised in hydrophilic polyurethane foam

Alhakawati, M.S. and Banks, C. J. (2004) Removal of copper from aqueous solution by ascophyllum nodosum immobilised in hydrophilic polyurethane foam. Journal of Environmental Management, 72 (4), 195-205. (doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2004.04.010).

Abstract

The seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum was pre-treated by successive washes in distilled water and dilute acid, dried, and pulverised to produce particles of < 150 mum. These were immobilised during the manufacturing process of Hypol 2002 polymer to form a biomass/polymer matrix that was stable and easy to handle. In making the composite a mixing speed of 360 rpm for 20-30 s with 2% (w/w) addition of surfactant to pre-polymer was found to be ideal. The average pore sizes for different water polymer mixes (expressed as volume ratios) were 1.66 mm +/- 0.98 (ratio 0.75:1), 1.58 mm +/- 0.76 (ratio 1:1), 1.64 mm +/- 0.6 (ratio 1.5:1) and 1.11 mm +/- 0.615 (ratio 2:1). The biomass/polymer was used alongside free native biomass in an initial adsorption experiment using a 0.0315 mmol dm(-3) Cu (II) solution and gave a copper uptake capacity (q(max)) of 0.037 mmol Cu g(-1) dry weight seaweed in both cases which represented approximately 85% of total initially available copper. In later adsorption isotherm experiments using Cu concentrations between 0.0315 and 0.944 mmol dm(-3) at pH 5.0 and immobilized biomass over five consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles the biomass/polymer showed an initial lowering of adsorption capacity but stabilised at 0.23 mmol g(-1) dry weight by the third re-use. The q(max) of the immobilised biomass decreased from 0.55 and 0.416 mmol of Cu g(-1) dry weight when pH was lowered from 4.0 to 3.0, and increased from 0.576 mmol g(-1) dry weight (biomass) at 283 K to 0.636 mmol g(-1) (biomass) at 303 K.

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Contributors

Author: C. J. Banks

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