Adsorption of lead (II) from aqueous solution by modified Auricularia matrix waste: A fixed-bed column study

In this study, Auricularia Matrix Waste (AMW) was modified by sodium hydroxide and immobilized into granular adsorbent with sodium alginate to remove lead ions from aqueous solution through a fixed-bed column. The results of Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) illuminated that immobilization greatly changed the structure, elements, polarity and functional groups of the adsorbent. Amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl groups on the adsorbent actively participated lead (II) adsorption and cation exchange also played an important role in adsorption process. The effects of bed length, flow rate and lead ions concentration determined the breakthrough characteristics and remarkably impacted lead(II) adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of lead(II) was 151.7 mg/g, when the influent bed, bed height and initial concentration were 15 mL/min, 25 mL/min and 150 mg/L, respectively. Thomas model was more suitable than the Bohart-Adams model to describe the performance of lead(II) adsorption onto IMAMW.