BIOSORPTION STUDY OF Cu2+ ONTO THE CHITOSAN-CELLULOSE CRYOGEL

 

R. García-González, R. M. Gómez-Espinosa, P. Ávila-Pérez, B. Garcia-Gaitán, J.L. García-Rivas, R.E. Zavala-Arce

 

 

The adsorption capacity of Cu2+ ions in the chitosan-cellulose (Q-C) cryogel biosorbent was studied under equilibrium conditions at a temperature range of 30-50°C. The Q-C cryogel was synthesized by a self-assembly process induced segregation ice and was characterized before and after adsorption process by SEM-EDX analysis, FTIR-ATR and XPS. The adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of time and concentration. The data were analyzed using various kinetic and isotherm models. Models of pseudo-second-order and Elovich provided a better representation of the experimental data. Between models of adsorption isotherms, Sips model gave a better fit of the equilibrium data. The maximum adsorption capacity was 185, 186 and 192 mg/g to 30, 40 and 50°C respectively. It is assumed that Cu2+ removal is carried out by chemical reaction. Experimental results indicate that Q-C cryogel could be used as a biosorbent material for removing ions Cu2+ present in aqueous media.