In the present study, surface of laccase producing Ceriporia lacerata was modified using 4-bromobutyryl chloride and polyethylenimine. The modified biomass was freeze dried and utilized as a biosorbent for the removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the biosorbent were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Batch experiments were carried out as a function of contact time (0-60 min), pH (2 to 8), adsorbent dosage (25-150 mg), and initial Ni(II) concentration (25-125 mg/L). The results indicate that surface modified biosorbent effectively adsorbed (9.5 mg/0.1 g biomass) Ni(II) present in the solution. The equilibrium adsorption data were modeled with different kinetic and isotherm models. The Ni(II) adsorption followed pseudo-first-order kinetics (R
2 = 0.998) and Langmuir isotherm (R
2 = 0.994) model. Hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups present in biomass play a major role in the adsorption of Ni(II). The adsorbed Ni(II) from the biosorbent was successfully desorbed (85%) by 1M HCl. The results of the study indicate that the surface modified C. lacerate biomass could be used for the treatment of Ni(II) contaminated ground waters.
Keywords: Adsorption isotherm;Ceriporia lacerata;Heavy metal;Kinetics;Nickel;