A spectroscopic approach on bulk and surface properties of fungal biomass-clay adsorbents: effect of temperature and amount of clay during synthesis

OLIVELLI, MELISA S.; SCHAMPERA, B.; SUSSANE K. WOCHE; TORRES SÁNCHEZ, R.M.; CURUTCHET, G.; GUGGENBERGER, G.

INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMICAL RESEARCH

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Lugar: Washington; Año: 2023

0888-5885

The physicochemical properties of an enhanced adsorbent material generated by clays and fungal biomass can be modified systematically. We used spectroscopic techniques to investigate the interaction mechanisms between biomass and clay, and how surface properties change with synthesis temperature and clay amounts. Biomass-clay complexes were synthesized and either shock-frozen and freeze dried or dried at 60°C in the oven. Surface and bulk properties were analyzed by SEM, ATR-FTIR-spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and by wettability and surface charge measurements. Interaction of specific biomass related molecules with the clay and changes on physicochemical properties were observed. Higher amounts of clay caused a decrease on particle aggregation while the biomass arranged more evenly. XPS proved interaction due to exchange reactions between Na from the clay and biomass external organic compounds. FTIR, wettability, surface charge and XPS indicated a less ordered arrangement of the biomass on the clay when drying was performed at 60°C. The properties of these type of materials define its potential use in future applications. These results indicate the possibility of the selective creation of bio-clays: more hydrophobic, with higher content of organic matter or more specific functional groups on surface.