Abstract
Pleurotus ostreatus was modified by tartaric acid and used as a biosorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) by the modified P. ostreatus was 2 to 2.5 times higher than by pristine P. ostreatus. FTIR and XPS analysis indicated that carboxyl and amino groups were the major functional groups for Cr(VI) sorption. Batch sorption experiments were carried out to investigate the characteristic adsorption behavior of MPOD. Experimental data fitted a pseudo-second order equation and the Freundlich isotherm. The optimum biosorption was observed at pH 2.0 with the biosorption capacity was 99.66 mg g(-1). Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The present results confirmed that electrostatic attraction and complexation were involved in Cr(VI) removal. Modified P. ostreatus has the characteristics of simplicity and obvious effects for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution.