Synthesis and application of Sargassum ilicifolium based biomass for the selective removal of phenol

Marine algae, Sargassum ilicifolium, found in Oman sea coast for utilized to synthesize a novel adsorbent for the removal of phenol from aqueous solution. The algal bio sorbent was characterized to determine the surface functional groups using FTIR and elemental analysis using EDS techniques. Batch equilibrium experiments were conducted using a phenol concentration of 100 mg/L, optimal pH of 8.0,shaking speed of 100 rpm and biosorbent dose of 4 g/L. The phenol removal experiments were analyzed using equilibrium isotherm models and Langmuir isotherm was found to fit well confirming the monolayer sorption as the mechanism. The uptake capacities increased with increase in temperature and maximum uptake capacity was estimated as 47.393 mg/g at an operating temperature of 40 °C. The Langmuir constant was found to vary in the range of 3.1×10−3 to 3.44×10−3 L/mg in the temperature range of 32-40 °C.The equilibrium parameter (RL) values calculated in this research were found to be between 0.0 and 1.0 indicating favorable adsorption on the selected biomass. Thermodynamic studies were conducted to identify the heat involvement during the sorption process.