Characterization of a Novel Biopolymer by FT-IR Spectroscopy and its Use for Cobalt Removal

In the present study we reported the feasibility of extra cellular biopolymer( PFC02) produced by Pseudomonas alcaligenes as an alternative biosorbent to remove Co(II) metallic ions from environmental and industrial wastewater. The effects such as pH, dosage of biosorbent, Co(II) initial concentration and sorbate-sorbent contact time and agitating speed on the adsorption capacities of PFC02 were studied. Biosorption equilibriums were rapidly established in about 60 min and the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The maximum Co(II) adsorption capacity determined from Langmuir isotherm were 83.55 mg/g PFC02 at pH 5.0. The carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups of the PFC02 were involved in chemical interaction with the Co(II) ions depicted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) results. The study points to the potential of new use of extra cellular biopolymer PFC02 as an effective biosorbent for the removal of Co (II) and from environmental and industrial wastewater.