Modified chitosan gel incorporated with magnetic nanoparticle for removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2019-07, Vol.133, p.1051-1062
• Main Authors: Anush, S.M., Vishalakshi, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Chitosan; Cu(II) and Cr(VI) removal; Epichlorohydrin; Magnetic nanoparticle; Schiff base
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.04.179

A novel adsorbent material for removal of metal ion from aqueous solution was made by modification of chitosan. Schiff base prepared from reaction of chitosan with 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde was crosslinked with epichlorohydrin to form a crosslinked gel. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were incorporated into the modified chitosan gel to obtain a magnetic adsorbent material. The magnetic nanocomposite thus obtained was characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDS and XRD techniques and evaluated for adsorptive removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for Cu(II) and Cr(VI) ions was found to be 90.90 and 83.33 mg g−1 respectively. The adsorption data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters indicated the adsorption to be spontaneous and endothermic. The desorption studies revealed the efficient recovery of adsorbate species and possible reusability of the adsorbent material. •Heterocyclic modification of chitosan has been achieved for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions.•The extent of adsorption was further enhanced by the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles.•The desorption studies revealed the efficient recovery of adsorbate and possible reusability of the adsorbent material.