Abstract
The use of non-living Trametes versicolor polyporus fungus to remove phenol, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) from water under equilibrium and column flow experimental conditions was evaluated. The biomass was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, initial concentration of adsorbate and amount of biomass employed. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data were analyzed in terms of the Freundlich, Langmuir and D–R adsorption isotherm models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of Trametes versicolor polyporus fungus for phenol, 2-CP and 4-CP was found to be 50 mg/g, 86 mg/g and 112 mg/g, respectively. Desorption of phenolic compounds was achieved using 0.1 M NaOH solution. The experimental results demonstrated that the Trametes versicolor polyporus fungus could be used as a sorbent for immobilizing phenolic compounds.