Chitosan-Based Materials for the Removal of Nickel Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Sorption of Ni(II) ions from liquid effluents utilizing chemically modified chitosan; (vanillin, polymer I) and (ortho-vanillin, polymer II) is studied under batch conditions. The unremoved ions are determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The maximum sorption capacity is accomplished at pH 4. Langmuir isotherm represents the best elucidation model with maximum uptake obtained for both polymers are 19.011 mg g–1 for polymer I and 31.646 mg g–1 for polymer II. Kinetic studies released that intraparticle diffusion is not the only rate-determining step and the adsorption process is determined by a chemical reaction as well. The results indicate high sorption rapidness of nickel ions with almost 50% achieved within 30 min. Thermodynamic investigations suggest the favorability of process with increasing in randomness at the liquid–solid interface. The polymers developed in the present study are feasible as sorbent materials for the adsorption of Ni(II) metal ions from waste effluent samples.