Magnetic chitosan nanoparticles for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2013-04, Vol.33 (3), p.1214-1218
• Main Authors: Thinh, Nguyen Ngoc, Hanh, Pham Thi Bich, Ha, Le Thi Thanh, Anh, Le Ngoc, Hoang, Tran Vinh, Hoang, Vu Dinh, Dang, Le Hai, Khoi, Nguyen Van, Lam, Tran Dai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Adsorption isotherm; Chitosan - chemistry; Chromium - isolation & purification; Cr(VI); Fe3O4; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Magnetic chitosan nanoparticles; Magnetic Phenomena; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Solutions; Temperature; Time Factors; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2012.12.013

A simple method was introduced to prepare magnetic chitosan nanoparticles by co-precipitation via epichlorohydrin cross-linking reaction. The average size of magnetic chitosan nanoparticles is estimated at ca. 30nm. It was found that the adsorption of Cr(VI) was highly pH-dependent and its kinetics follows the pseudo-second-order model. Maximum adsorption capacity (at pH 3, room temperature) was calculated as 55.80mg·g−1, according to Langmuir isotherm model. The nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized before and after Cr(VI) adsorption. From this result, it can be suggested that magnetic chitosan nanoparticles could serve as a promising adsorbent for Cr(VI) in wastewater treatment technology. ► Magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized. ► They possess maximum adsorption capacity of 64.31mg·g−1 for Cr(VI). ► The adsorption was pH-dependent and its kinetics follows the pseudo-second-order. ► The nanoparticles can serve as a promising adsorbent for Cr(VI) and other ions.