Removal of As(V) from wastewater by chemically modified biomass

Herein, biomass of Trametes versicolor was modified by polyethylenimine (modified biomass) for its potential application of As(V) removal from aqueous solutions. The interactions of modified biomass with As(V) were studied, along with their biosorption kinetics. The results revealed that As(V) biosorption on modified biomass was affected by solution pH and ionic strength, and was a spontaneous and endothermic process. Modified biomass presented higher biosorption capacity for As(V) than that of most other biosorbents under similar experimental conditions. These results indicate the modified biomass is a promising material for the enrichment and separation of As(V) pollution from large volume aqueous solutions.