Separation Science and Technology, Vol.43, No.6, 1365-1381, 2008
Removal of copper (II) and nickel (II) ions from aqueous solutions by a composite chitosan biosorbent
A composite chitosan biosorbent (CCB) was prepared by coating chitosan on to ceramic alumina. The adsorption characteristics of the sorbent for copper and nickel ions were studied under batch equilibrium and dynamic flow conditions at pH 4.0. The equilibrium adsorption data were correlated with Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson models. The ultimate monolayer capacities, obtained from Langmuir isotherm, were 86.2 and 78.1mg/g of chitosan for Cu(II) and Ni(II), respectively. In addition, dynamic column adsorption studies were conducted to obtain breakthrough curves. After the column was saturated with metal ions, it was regenerated with 0.1M sodium hydroxide. The regenerated column was used for a second adsorption cycle.