Kinetic adsorption of humic acids mixture obtained from microalgae on exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets

Abstract

The dehydration of polysaccharides fraction in the presence of acid catalysts, is a chemical process in which results as secondary product humic matter. In our work, the humic acid mixture was for the first time based on our knowledge extracted from defatted microalgae biomass rich in polysaccharides by standard alkali treatment, followed by precipitation at acidic pH. The dried humic acid mixture has been characterized using infrared spectroscopic measurements (FT-IR). Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) were used as new adsorbents for this type of humic acids mixture, their adsorption being investigated. The effect of several parameters such as: contact time, concentration of humic acid mixture, concentration of xGnP, temperature and pH of the solutions were studied. The process of adsorption took place with good results, in the following conditions: at a concentration of humic acid mixture of 18.6 mg L-1, an xGnP amount of 0.01 mg in 25 mL of solution, at a temperature of 25 °Ñ and at acidic pH values, in aqueous solution.