Adsorption behavior of copper ions on alga Jania adhaerens through SEM and FTIR analyses

Biomass of the alga Jania adhaerens was used for biosorption of copper ions from aqueous solutions. The effects of pH, copper concentration, biomass amount, and contact time on biosorption were investigated. For chemical modification of functional groups, FTIR and ICP analyses were performed to study the biosorption mechanism. Furthermore, the SEM images of pristine and copper-loaded biomass were also provided. The pseudo second order model described kinetics data appropriately. The adsorption isotherm was best fitted to the Langmuir model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 67 mg g−1. Sulfonate, carboxyl, and amine functional groups affected the biosorption. Ion exchange was a mechanism of biosorption.