Anionically reinforced hydrogel network entrapped fungal cells for retention of cadmium in the contaminated aquatic media

A novel biomass/polymer composite was fabricated by embedding Thamnidium elegans cells in acrylic network of p(3-Methoxyprophyl)acrylamide p(MPA) enriched with 2-Akrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS). Cd(II) retention potential of hydrogel (p(MPA-co-AMPS)) increased by 20.66% times after this enrichment. The gel matrix could be effectively entrapped the biomass and resulting sorbent applied to remove Cd(II) from water in batch and continuous modes. The main physico-chemical parameters are discussed in addition to characterization, regeneration and application studies of the suggested sorbent. Equilibrium occurred within 30 min and Langmuir model predicted the equilibrium data. Kinetics of Cd(II) removal onto immobilized biomass is modeled using the pseudo-second-order rate equation. Maximum monolayer sorption capacity was estimated to be 123.76 mg g−1 at 25 °C. Designed composite was successfully applied for the removal of Cd(II) from industrial wastewater. EDTA and HNO3 can be efficiently used for Cd(II) recovery and composite sorbent recycled for at least 12 cycles with nearly stable sorption performance. [Display omitted] •Anionically reinforced hydrogel designed as immobilization matrix.•Good cadmium sorption ability of immobilized sorbent in batch and continuous modes.•Successful treatment of Cd(II) in the multimetal mixture and real effluent.•Good regeneration potential of the entrapped cells for 12 consecutive cycles.