Preparation of Magnetic Chitosan Beads for Heavy Metal Ions Removal from Water

Abstract

Magnetic chitosan beads have been successfully prepared using Fe3O4 and applied for Hg(II) and Cd(II) removal from water. Fe3O4 was extracted from Aceh iron sand using co-precipitation method. The preparation of magnetic chitosan beads was conducted with several contents of chitosan and Fe3O4. The obtained magnetic chitosan beads were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and SEM. XRD pattern of magnetic chitosan bead was broader and has a lower intensity than chitosan that confirmed the decrease in chitosan crystallinity. FTIR and SEM data confirmed the formation of magnetic chitosan beads. Adsorption study was performed for Hg(II) and Cd(II) removal from water. The adsorption capacities of magnetic chitosan beads for Hg(II) and Cd(II) were 0.4 and 3.04 mg/g, respectively which were higher than adsorption capacities of pure chitosan.