Dried Biomass of Activated Sludge for Cu2+ Adsorption: Behaviors and Mechanisms

Activated sludge was tested for its ability to remove Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution. The effects of various experimental parameters (initial pH, initial Cu²⁺ concentration, adsorbent dosage, and temperature) on Cu²⁺ adsorption were evaluated. The Langmuir isotherm model well described the adsorption of Cu²⁺ onto activated sludge. The pseudo-second-order kinetic equation was appropriate for describing the kinetic performance of the sorption. Furthermore, Webber–Morris models indicated that the sorption of Cu²⁺ was generally found to involve with the intraparticle diffusion process. Parameters of adsorption thermodynamic suggested that the interaction of Cu²⁺ adsorbed by sludge was spontaneous and exothermic. Activated sludge was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and results showed that active groups such as –OH, –COOH, –NH₂ were involved in Cu²⁺ adsorption. Zeta potential analysis demonstrated inner-sphere adsorption for Cu²⁺ adsorption on sludge.