Analytical Sciences

Co-precipitative Preparation of a Sulfonated Cellulose-magnetite Hybrid Sorbent for the Removal of Cu²⁺ Ions

Özgür ARAR

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, 35040, Turkey

A novel sulfonated cellulose-magnetite (Fe₃O₄) composite sorbent was prepared and applied for the removal of Cu²⁺ ions from an aqueous solution. It was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, elemental analysis, SEM, VSM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of the sorbent dose, initial solution pH, and temperature on Cu²⁺ removal were studied. The removal of the Cu²⁺ was completed in 15 min, and the sorption kinetics of Cu²⁺ was found to follow a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. An equilibrium test demonstrated that sorption of Cu²⁺ onto a hybrid sorbent agreed well with the Langmuir adsorption model for a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.2 mg/g. Moreover, the optimum pH for Cu²⁺ removal was found to be ≥4. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters reveal the feasibility, spontaneity and endothermic nature of the sorption process. In addition, Cu²⁺ ions can be desorbed from the sorbent with a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution.

J-STAGE: View this article in J-STAGE