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Biosorption of Ag+ and Nd3+ from single- and multi-metal solutions (Ag+, Nd3+, and Au3+) by using living and dried microalgae

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Abstract

There is an increasing need for the investigation of recovery techniques for valuable elements, especially for the growing waste streams. This study focuses on the biosorption of commonly found valuable elements in e-waste: Ag+ and Nd3+ from aqueous solutions by using living and dried forms of Chlorella vulgaris. Optimization of the processes was conducted by changing the process parameters. In addition, biosorption from multi-metal solution (with Ag+, Nd3+, Au3+) was also investigated. Maximum removals were found as 174.6 ± 4.83 mg/g for Ag+, 239.7 ± 3.39 mg/g for Nd3+ by dried algae, and 161.6 ± 18.2 mg/g for Ag+, 296.8 ± 30.54 mg/g for Nd3+ by living algae. Both processes were very fast, representing 60 and 5–10 min during which a significant amount of the biosorption was completed for dried and living algae, respectively. FTIR and SEM–EDS showed that the algae were able to sorb the elements. Pseudo-second-order kinetics fit better to all processes. Freundlich model suited to the dried algae process, while the linear model fit to living algae process. The biosorption efficiency of Ag+ and Nd3+ decreased when there were co-ions present in the solution. Biosorption of Au3+ was affected depending on the experimental conditions in the case of multi-metal solutions.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Bogazici University Research Fund, Project No: 16Y00D7. The authors would like to thank Oleksiy Myronyuk from National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polyechnic Institute,” Kyiv, Ukraine, for his support on FTIR interpretation and Filiz Ayılmaz from Boğaziçi University for her support on ICP-OES analysis. The authors also thank Uzoefuna Edwin Nnaemeka for his partial support in SEM Imaging.

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  1. Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğaziçi University, Bebek, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey

    Merve Tunali & Orhan Yenigun

  2. School of Engineering, European University of Lefke, Lefke, North Cyprus, Turkey

    Orhan Yenigun

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Tunali, M., Yenigun, O. Biosorption of Ag+ and Nd3+ from single- and multi-metal solutions (Ag+, Nd3+, and Au3+) by using living and dried microalgae. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 23, 764–777 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-020-01168-2

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