The comparison of Cu(II) adsorption capability of baker’s yeast, nano-titania and their composite adsorbent

The anatase nano-TiO2 powder, with crystal size between 40 and 80 nm, was prepared by the liquid phase hydrolysis of TiCl4. At the same time, the nano-TiO2 was utilized with the baker’s yeast biomass as a composite adsorbent to adsorb the Cu ions in the artificial aqueous solution. The investigation showed that the composite adsorbent had a fine adsorption efficiency. The TiO2 in the composite adsorbent could cooperate well with baker’s yeast to improve the adsorbing capability of Cu2+ under the following experimental conditions as well: a quantity of composite adsorbent of 5 g·L−1, pH⩾4.0, an adsorption time of 40 min and an initial concentration of Cu ions of 10 mg·L−1. In addition, the results of measurements, obtained with a scanning electron microscope, an infrared spectrophotometer and a Zeta potential analyzer, revealed that the baker’s yeast and nano-TiO2 produced the composite adsorbent through coordination and hydrogen bonds in particular, etc. The stability of the composite adsorbent and the amount of titania loaded were largely dependent on the concentration of hydrogen ion in the solution.