Composition and surface morphology study of seaweed as biosorbent

Abstract

In this study, based on the surface morphology study, it was found that the texture of the treated biosorbent has changed from smooth to dry and rough texture. It shows that the surface has been leached out during the biosorption process. The composition of Pb2+ and Al3+ ion metals was removed and determined using a biosorbent, red seaweed, Kappaphycus sp. The biosorbent was modified initially using 0.2 wt % formaldehyde to avoid organic leaching. The highest removal of Pb2+ and Al3+ were obtained at pH 3. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that the functional groups involved for a metal binding in biosorbent from Kappaphycus sp. are carboxyl (1690-1760 cm-1), sulphate (1220-1260 cm-1) and hydroxyl (3200-3500 cm-1) group.