Infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies on the mechanism of chromium(III) binding to alfalfa biomass

JL Gardea-Torresdey, K Dokken, KJ Tiemann, JG Parsons, J Ramos, NE Pingitore, Gerardo Gamez Goytia

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Abstract

Previous studies have shown that alfalfa biomass possesses the potential to be a biosorbent for chromium(III) removal from contaminated and industrial wastewaters. However, the mechanism through which chromium(III) binds to alfalfa biomass has not been identified. Therefore, studies were conducted to determine how modification of chemical groups present on the alfalfa biomass affect the chromium(III) binding. Batch pH profile studies were performed on esterified, hydrolyzed and unmodified alfalfa biomasses. A comparison study with ion exchange resins containing carboxyl, thiol, amino, sulfonic, and phosphate groups were also performed. These studies showed that chromium(III) binds predominantly to the alfalfa biomass through carboxyl ligands and follows a binding trend similar to that of the carboxyl resin. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies were conducted in order to better understand how the chemical modification affects the alfalfa biomass and the m
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalMICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
Volume71
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2002

Keywords

  • Alfalfa
  • Chromium(III) binding
  • Fourier transform infrared
  • Ion exchange resins
  • Modification
  • X-Ray absorption spectroscopy

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