Characterization of sorption sites on Pilayella littoralis and metal binding assessment using 113Cd and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance

Metal interactions with the cellular structures of the marine alga Pilayella littoralis have been investigated to better understand how biomaterials sorb dissolved metals. Algae metal binding capacity at pH 5.0 was 2000, 850, 430, and 560 micromol g(-1) of dried material for Al(III), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Co(II), respectively. Binding site characterization was assessed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Also, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided some information about the types of functional groups that appear to be present in the algal material. The results suggested the presence of carboxylate, ether, amino, and hydroxyl groups. Investigation of metal competition for the alga binding sites was performed using 27Al and 113Cd NMR spectroscopy, which proved to be a valuable technique for Al and Cd sorption assessment. Aluminum and Cu were efficiently sorbed by the alga sites, and the binding affinity order of these metals was Al(III) > Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Co(II).