Magnetic Nanocomposite Based on Carboxyl‐Functionalized Candida albicans for Removal of Heavy Metals Ions from Wastewater

Abstract Presently, there is increased interest in heavy metal contamination due to its high‐risk health effects. In this work, we fabricated nano‐magnetic/carboxyl Candida albicans biomass composite (MCC) as a new bio‐adsorbent agent based on the ultrasonic cavitation‐assisted oxygen implosion method. The synthesized MCC nano adsorbent was characterized using SEM, EDX, and FTIR. The adsorption capacity of MCC nanocomposite was detected for toxic metals Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Cu 2+ ions. SEM image showed rough C. albicans cell walls due to loading of magnetic/carboxyl nanoparticles, while EDX confirmed the formation of magnetic nanoparticles on the cell surface. The results of adsorption metal ions showed that the optimum removal efficiencies for Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Pb 2+ were recorded at pH 4, 6, and 6.5, respectively. The adsorption capacity was determined as 1009, 280 and 202 mg/g for Pb 2+ , Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ , while calculated qe values agreed very well with the experimental data indicating that the adsorption of tested metals obeyed the second‐order kinetic model. The removal rates reached 99.8 % for Pb 2+ , 99.4 % for Cd 2+ , and 94.7 % for Cu 2+ in the presence of different concentrations of coexisting ions in treated wastewater. The MCC nanocomposite bio‐adsorbent agent satisfied the increasing need for the purification of water resources and can be used widely in industrial wastewater remediation.