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Rare earth elements such as neodymium (Nd) are important elements used mainly in developing new technologies. Although they are found in low concentrations in nature, they can be obtained by extracting solid samples such as phosphogypsum. Among the techniques, adsorption has been used successfully with several adsorbent materials. In this work, two strains of Spirulina platensis (LEB-18 and LEB-52) were employed as biosorbents for efficiently removing the Nd element from the aqueous media. Biosorption tests were carried out in a batch system, and the results of the biosorption kinetics showed that for both materials, the biosorption of Nd was better described by the Avrami model. Moreover, it could be considered that 80 min would be necessary to attain the equilibrium of Nd(III) using both biosorbents. The result of the biosorption isotherms showed that for both strains, the best-fitted model was the Liu model, having a maximum biosorption capacity of 72.5 mg g−1 for LEB-18 and 48.2 mg g−1 for LEB-52 at a temperature of 298 K. Thermodynamics of adsorption showed that for both LEB-18 and LEB-52 the process was favorable (∆G° < 0) and exothermic (∆H° −23.2 for LEB-18 and ∆H° −19.9 for LEB-52). Finally, both strains were suitable to uptake Nd, and the better result of LEB-18 could be attributed to the high amount of P and S groups in this biomass. Based on the results, a mechanism of electrostatic attraction of Nd3+ and phosphate and sulfate groups of both strains of Spirulina platensis was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production and consumption of cassava (Manihot esculenta) occur in several places worldwide, producing large volumes of waste, mostly in the form of bark. This study sought to bring a new purpose to this biomass through producing activated carbon to use as an adsorbent to remove the herbicide Diuron from water. It was observed that the carbon contains the functional groups of methyl, carbonyl, and hydroxyl in a strongly amorphous structure. The activated carbon had a surface area of 613.7 m2 g−1, a pore volume of 0.337 cm3 g−1, and a pore diameter of 1.18 nm. The Freundlich model was found to best describe the experimental data. It was observed that an increase in temperature favored adsorption, reaching a maximum experimental capacity of 222 mg g−1 at 328 K. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption was spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic. The enthalpy of adsorption magnitude was consistent with physical adsorption. Equilibrium was attained within 120 min. The linear driving force (LDF) model provided a strong statistical match to the kinetic curves. Diffusivity (Ds) and the model coefficient (KLDF) both increased with a rise in herbicide concentration. The adsorbent removed up to 68% of pollutants in a simulated effluent containing different herbicides. Activated carbon with zinc chloride (ZnCl2), produced from leftover cassava husks, was shown to be a viable alternative as an adsorbent for the treatment of effluents containing not only the herbicide Diuron but also a mixture of other herbicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quaternary adsorption of Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Ag+ ions was investigated. • Development of a new quaternary adsorption model. • Adsorption of Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ ions was endothermic, while the Ag+ adsorption was exothermic. • Ag+ adsorption was reduced from single-compound to quaternary system. Quaternary adsorption of Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Ag+ ions on an adsorbent obtained from the alkaline fusion of wastewater treatment sludge was investigated. Adsorption tests in both single-compound and quaternary systems were carried out and the analysis of adsorption mechanism was done by the application of a new quaternary model. This model was developed from a general methodology based on the application of grand canonical ensemble in statistical physics. This adsorbent was characterized by different analytical techniques. Experimental data showed that the adsorption of Cu2+, Co2+and Ni2+ ions was endothermic, while the Ag+ adsorption was exothermic. Ag+ adsorption was significantly reduced from single-compound to quaternary system due to the competitive effect caused by the other divalent ions, while the adsorption capacities of Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ were not significantly affected in the multicomponent solution. A significant competitive effect of Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ ions on the adsorption of Ag+ ions occurred. Modelling analysis showed that the adsorption of Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ ions was a multi-ionic process at all tested temperatures, while the adsorption of Ag+ was a multi-ionic process only at low temperatures (298 and 308 K). Finally, the statistical physics model confirmed that the adsorption energies corresponded to physical interactions forces and the water molecule adsorption played a relevant role during the removal of these trace metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]