Adsorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by glycidylmethacrylate-grafted-densified cellulose with quaternary ammonium groups

• Published in: Applied surface science 2013-08, Vol.279, p.441-449
• Main Authors: Anirudhan, T.S., Nima, J., Divya, P.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorbents; Adsorption; Aqueous solutions; Cellulose; Chromium(VI); Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Densified cellulose; Desorption; Exact sciences and technology; Graft copolymerization; Isotherm; Isotherms; Mathematical models; Physics; Surface chemistry; Waste water
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.04.134

A novel adsorbent, ethylated aminated polyglycidylmethacrylate-grafted-titanium dioxide densified cellulose (Et-AMPGDC), for the adsorptive removal of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions. •A novel adsorbent, Et-AMPGDC was synthesized by graft copolymerization technique.•Densified cellulose would increase the density, pore volume and mechanical strength.•Adsorption characteristics of chromium(VI) onto Et-AMPGDC were investigated.•Regeneration of spent adsorbent was possible with 0.1M NaOH.•Et-AMPGDC can be used in the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. This study successfully synthesized a new adsorbent by ethylation of glycidylmethacrylate grafted aminated titanium dioxide densified cellulose (Et-AMPGDC), to remove chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by the FTIR, XRD, SEM and TG-DTG measurements. Batch adsorption technique using Et-AMPGDC was applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution and waste water. The contact time necessary to attain equilibrium and the optimum pH were found to be 1h and 4.5, respectively. The kinetics of sorption of Cr(VI) ions was described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations and the adsorption process was reflected by Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was evaluated to be 123.60mg/g. The electroplating industrial wastewater samples were treated with Et-AMPGDC to demonstrate its efficiency in removing Cr(VI) from wastewater. Almost complete removal was possible with 100mg of the adsorbent from 50mL of wastewater sample. Desorption efficiency was achieved by treatment with 0.1M NaOH and five adsorption–desorption cycles were performed without significant decrease in adsorption capacity.