Biosorption of cadmium(II), zinc(II) and lead(II) by Penicillium simplicissimum: Isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics

The isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) biosorption by Penicillium simplicissimum were investigated in a batch system. The effects of pH, initial metal ions concentration, biomass dose, contact time, temperature and co-ions on the biosorption were studied. Adsorption data were well described by both the Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir model. Chemical ion-exchange was found to be an important process based on free energy value from Dubini-Radushkevich isotherm for all metal ions. The results of the kinetic studies of all metal ions at different temperature showed that the rate of adsorption followed the pseudo second-order kinetics well. The thermodynamics constants ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° of the adsorption process showed that biosorption of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions on Penicillium simplicissimum were endothermic and spontaneous.