Removal of Fe (II) from Aqueous Solution by Chitosan Activated Carbon Composite Beads

Abstract

The high levels of Fe 2+ metal ion in water can be reduced by adsorption process. The adsorbent used is a composite of chitosan activated carbon. The composites were prepared by adding 1.5 g of activated carbon into chitosan solution 1.5% (w/v). The gels of chitosan activated carbon were then dropped into a 2.8% NaOH solution mixture to produce composite beads. The beads were neutralized using aquadest and dried in an oven at 50oC for 2 hours. The dried bead was used as adsorbent. The adsorption process was carried out with erlenmeyer in shaker bath with 0.5 g, 1 g, and 1.5 g at 25oC, 35oC and 45oC in 50 mL solution of Fe 2+ metal ion having concentration of 10 ppm. Sample were taken in 5, 10, 20, 40 60, 80 and 120 min. Adsorbent were characterized by SEM and EDX. The composite beads adsorbent was analyzed by SEM and EDX. SEM results show that chitosan was successfully coated on activated carbon with a porous surface structure. The EDX results show that chitosan activated carbon composite beads can absorb Fe 2+ metal ions, with an adsorption capacity of 88.3% at 60 min in 1.5 g adsorbent dose.