Adsorptive removal of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) from aqueous solution by Aeromonas punctata and its adsorption isotherm and kinetics

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are being increasingly used in many consumer products and industrial application. The release of SNPs to the environment is a major concern. Here we have studied the adsorptive removal of SNPs by a SNP resistant bacterial species Aeromonas punctata, isolated from the sewage environment. The influence of zeta potential on adsorption was investigated at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and with varying salt (NaCl) concentrations. The rate of adsorption and removal of SNPs was decreases with increase in pH and salt concentration. The zeta potential study suggests that, the adsorption of SNPs on the cell surface was related to electrostatic force of attraction. The equilibrium adsorption isotherm and kinetics of adsorption were also studied. The adsorption equilibrium isotherms fitted well to the Langmuir model. The kinetics of adsorption fitted best to pseudo-first-order. A. punctata was able to remove 4.42 and 3.85 mg/L of SNPs at pH 5 and 7 respectively. The present study can be used for the effective removal of SNPs which is released into the environment and sewage treatment systems.