Preparation and characterization of magnetic chitosan nanocomposites for removal of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution

ABSTRACT

In this article, highly efficient magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by the glutaraldehyde cross-linking method and then chemically-modified with amino groups through reaction between triethylenetramine and glycidyl methacrylate. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of these novel adsorbents fit the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 293 mg/g at pH = 4.3 and t = 1.4 hours. The rate-limiting step was the chemical adsorption. Further recycling experiments showed that the adsorbent provided the potential regeneration and reuse after adsorbing Cu²⁺. All the experimental results demonstrated that the adsorbent had a potential application in Cu²⁺ removal from wastewater.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Adsorption
• magnetic chitosan
• nanoparticles

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Industry Supporting Project of Zhenjiang [Grant number GY2014037] and Technology Support Program of Changzhou City [Grant number CE20155008].