Hydrous Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Impregnated Enteromorpha sp. for the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

A novel nanobiocomposite, hydrous cerium oxide nanoparticles impregnated Enteromorpha sp. (HCONIE) was used effectively for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The chemical and structural characteristics of the nanobiocomposite were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Adsorption studies were determined as a function of pH, contact time, initial concentration of Cr(VI), HCONIE dose, and temperature. The equilibrium adsorption data were modeled using two parameter isotherms, including Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R), Temkin, Jovanovic, Halsey, and Harkin-Jura. Adsorption data were well described by the Freundlich and Halsey isotherm. The kinetics data were analyzed using adsorption kinetic models like the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion equation. Kinetic data showed good agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The obtained thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the HCONIE was exothermic in nature. The presence of foreign ions showed a decreased effect on the adsorption capacity of HCONIE towards Cr(VI) removal. The desorption study was carried out with 0.1 and 0.5 M of three different desorbing agents. The study suggests that HCONIE nanobiocomposite could be used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. © 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.