Biosorption of Neodymium (Nd) from Aqueous Solutions Using Spirulina platensis sp. Strains

Abstract

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.

Nickel-aluminium layered double hydroxide as an efficient adsorbent to selectively recover praseodymium and samarium from phosphogypsum leachate

“…At the solid-liquid interface, the system's pH has a crucial role in the adsorption process. pH pzc is the point, whereas the adsorbent's surface charge is null [16,17]. Zeta potential values of Ni-Al-LDH decreased as the pH increased (see Fig.…”

“…Among several techniques to concentrate REEs, adsorption is the most common due to its easy operation and lowcost involvement [13,14]. REEs can be adsorbed on many different materials, such as silica [13], clays, minerals, zeolites [15], chitosan materials [16], biomass waste [17], and covalent organic frameworks [18]. In addition, layered double hydroxides (LDH) are also very effective materials for adsorbing ions and compounds, including REEs [19][20][21].…”

Evaluation of Holmium(III), Erbium(III), and Gadolinium(III) Accumulation by Cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis Using Neutron Activation Analysis and Elements’ Effects on Biomass Quantity and Biochemical Composition

“…Two strains of Spirulina platensis were applied to recover Nd from batch solutions. Both strains showed high adsorption capacity: 72.5 mg/g for the LEB-18 strain and 48.2 mg/g for LEB-52 [ 21 ]. Approximately 80% of Yb ions were adsorbed by spirulina from simulated mine wastewater [ 22 ], and 87.62% of the ions were absorbed from an aqueous solution [ 23 ].…”

Fabrication of magnesium oxide–calcium alginate hydrogel for scaffolding yttrium and neodymium from aqueous solutions

“…According to their findings, Nd(III) has a maximum adsorption capacity of 69.24 mg/g. Lima et al 19 employed two strains of Spirulina platensis (LEB-18 and LEB-52) for the recovery of Nd(III) from aqueous solutions. They reported that LEB-18 possesses a maximum biosorption capacity of 72.5 mg/g and LEB-52 has a maximum biosorption capacity of 48.2 mg/g.…”