A novel biomaterial was prepared by the immobilization of Phlebia gigantea cells in the medium containing lignocellulosic waste and used for the first time in the bioremediation purpose. The developed new biocomposite possesses higher Pb(II) retention potential when compared with the free microbial cells. It could remove Pb(II) up to 74.11% at a biosorbent dosage of 4.0 g L-1. Surface characterization was carried out through zeta potential, EDX, SEM, and IR studies to understand the metal-biocomposite interactions. The biosorption amount at equilibrium slightly decreased with the increase of the solution temperature. Kinetic data indicated Pb(II) biosorption onto suggested biocomposite fits well with the pseudo-first-order model. Biosorption equilibrium data suited Langmuir model with the highest coefficient of determination values. The immobilized material reached to maximum monolayer Pb(II) retention capacity (1.449 × 10-4 mol g-1) within the short equilibrium time (10 min). The designed biocomposite was also adapted to continuous flow mode sorption process. Regeneration tests by dynamic flow mode confirmed reutilization potential of biocomposite.
Keywords: Biosorptive treatment; Modeling; Passive immobilization; Phlebia gigantea; Water treatment.