Silk Sericin Microparticles as a Biosorbent for Hexavalent Chromium Ion

Silk Sericin Microparticles as a Biosorbent for Hexavalent Chromium Ion

Silk sericin (SS) microparticles prepared using the electrospraying method were used for the removal ofCr(VI). SS microparticles exhibited better Cr(VI) adsorption capacity than that of SS macrobeads due to the increasedsurface area. The optimum pH for Cr(VI) adsorption was 1-2, and the adsorption kinetics followed pseudo secondorderkinetics. The adsorption behavior followed three stages: initial external mass transportation, limited intraparticlediffusion and near equilibrium stage. From the isotherm model study, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) modelexhibited a very good fit for Cr(VI) adsorption, indicating that SS microparticle has multiple layers and homogeneousactive binding sites. The adsorption capacity increased with an increase in the initial Cr(VI) concentration anda decrease in the dosage of the biosorbent.

Silk sericin (SS) microparticles prepared using the electrospraying method were used for the removal ofCr(VI). SS microparticles exhibited better Cr(VI) adsorption capacity than that of SS macrobeads due to the increasedsurface area. The optimum pH for Cr(VI) adsorption was 1-2, and the adsorption kinetics followed pseudo secondorderkinetics. The adsorption behavior followed three stages: initial external mass transportation, limited intraparticlediffusion and near equilibrium stage. From the isotherm model study, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) modelexhibited a very good fit for Cr(VI) adsorption, indicating that SS microparticle has multiple layers and homogeneousactive binding sites. The adsorption capacity increased with an increase in the initial Cr(VI) concentration anda decrease in the dosage of the biosorbent.