Potential of eco-friendly lanthanum separation using DEHPA-modified Aspergillus niger
摘要
This study evaluates the biosorption of lanthanum (III) ions, using Aspergillus niger (A. niger) native and modified with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (A. niger-DEHPA). Biosorption performance was assessed as a function of pH, time, temperature, initial ion concentration, and adsorbent dosage. FT-IR, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed successful surface impregnation and La(III) binding. A. niger-DEHPA achieved higher sorption capacity (99.01 mg/g) than native biomass (74.07 mg/g). Equilibrium followed the Langmuir and D-R models, while kinetics fit the pseudo-second-order model. Biosorption was spontaneous, feasible and entropy driven. The biosorbents showed higher efficiency in extracting La(III) from multi-ion solutions and granite leachate.