Effective Biosorption of Cesium and Strontium Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Silica Loaded with Aspergillus brasiliensis

Abstract

In this study, the batch technique was used for the sorption of Sr(II) and Cs(I) onto silica loaded with Aspergillus brasiliensis (AB@S). The precipitation technique was used to synthesize the AB@S bio-sorbent, which was then evaluated using several analytical instruments such as XRD, FT-IR, and SEM. The results of this investigation revealed that the sorption process had a short equilibrium time (40 min). The distribution coefficient values have a sequence order Sr(II) ˃ Cs(I). AB@S sorbent has saturation capacity for Sr(II) and Cs(I) 72.2 and 26.1 mg g−1, respectively. The reaction kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order model with capacity values of 5.01 and 3.53 mg g−1 for Sr(II) and Cs(I), respectively. Applicability of Langmuir isotherms has capacity values of 66.3 and 23.38 mg g−1 for Sr(II) and Cs(I), respectively. Thermodynamics data are endothermic and spontaneous. The AB@S is a promising bio-sorbent for the removal of 85Sr and 134Cs from simulated radioactive waste (SRW). The investigation proved that the AB@S is suitable to adsorb Sr(II) and Cs(I) from aqueous solutions and could be considered potential material for the purification of effluent contaminated with these ions.