Reusable Halophilic Bacteria Attached Cellulose Acetate Nanofiber Webs for Removal of Cr (VI) and Reactive Dye

Abstract

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI)) and Reactive Blue (RB) removal efficiencies of halotolerant Citricoccus sp. were examined for different parameters such as initial pH, contact time, temperature static/shaking, NaCl concentration, and different pollutant concentrations. In this research, Citricoccus sp. attached cellulose acetate (CA) nanofiber webs (NfW) were produced by electrospinning method to improve the removal yield even further. The Cr (VI) removal yield was calculated as 11.39 ± 0.002% for the pristine CA-NfW, whereas it was 39.19 ± 0.43% for bacteria attached CA-NfW. Therefore, the Cr (VI) removal capacities of bacteria attached CA-NfW were significantly higher than that of pristine CA-NfW. In addition, reusability tests revealed that bacteria attached CA-NfW can be used at least three successive times in decolorization and Cr (VI) removal steps. The decolorization rate of the RB and Cr (VI) removal yield was found to be 31.5 ± 0.2% and 5.63 ± 0.30%, respectively. These results are promising and therefore suggest that bacteria attached CA-NfW could be applicable for the removal of wastewater containing Cr (VI) and reactive dye due to their versatility and reusability.