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This is a Quantitative Study study.

October 8, 2025Open Access

Potential of Eco-friendly Lanthanum Separation using DEHPA-modified Aspergillus Niger

WHWalaa S. HafezNuclear Materials Authority MRMohamed M. RezkNuclear Materials Authority MEMahmoud O. Abd El‐MagiedNuclear Materials Authority

Key Points

A. Niger-DEHPA achieved a maximum lanthanum biosorption of 99.01 mg/g, significantly outperforming free A. Niger.
The optimized conditions for lanthanum biosorption reached peak performance in 45 minutes at pH 5.6.
Biosorption mechanisms were elucidated through various kinetic and isotherm models, confirming multiple diffusion processes.
Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the biosorption of lanthanum ions is spontaneous and feasible under the tested conditions.

Abstract

Abstract The increasing demand for rare earth elements due to technological advancement requires cost-effective recovery methods. This study investigates biosorption, a more cost-effective alternative to conventional methods, for the separation of lanthanum ions La (III) from different liquid samples. Aspergillus Niger (A. Niger) and a developed surface-DEHPA-impregnated A. Niger (A. Niger-DEHPA) biosorbent were used to enhance the sorption of La (III) from aqueous solutions. The characterization of the free A. Niger and A. Niger-DEHPA and their La (III)-loaded biosorbents confirmed the structure, chemical properties, and La (III) interaction with these biosorbents. The influences of pH, contact time, La (III) concentration, adsorbent dosage, interfering ions, and elution were investigated. The results showed that A. Niger-DEHPA exhibited rapid La (III) biosorption and superior biosorption performance at pH 5.6. The findings revealed that La (III) biosorption capacity increased with contact time, reaching a maximum value after 90 and 45 min using A. Niger and A. Niger-DEHPA, respectively. The maximum biosorption capacities of A. Niger and A. Niger-DEHPA were 74.07 and 99.01 mg/g, respectively. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, liquid film diffusion, and intraparticle diffusion models were applied to elucidate biosorption mechanisms and identify potential rate-controlling steps. In addition, experimental data were interpreted using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherms. The Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, and pseudo-second-order models confirmed the equilibrium and kinetic biosorption data, indicating a physical sorption process controlled by multiple diffusion mechanisms. The thermodynamic parameters proved a feasible and spontaneous La(III) biosorption process. The efficiency of La (III) ion biosorption was slightly affected by the presence of coexisting ions. In addition, the biosorbents showed higher efficiency in extracting La (III) ions from the sample solution.

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