PREPARATION OF SULFONATED MAGNETIC CHITOSAN FOR METHYLENE BLUE ADSORPTION

Abstract

Preparation of sulfonated magnetic chitosan had been conducted and applied for methylene blue adsorption. Sulfonated magnetic chitosan was prepared using Fe₃O₄ isolated from iron sand and sulfonating agent prepared from NaNO₂ and NaHSO₃ with various pH (5, 6 and 9). The obtained sulfonated magnetic chitosan was characterized by Transform Infrared (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). FTIR results showed the presence of sulfonate and Fe-O groups in the sulfonated magnetic chitosan that indicated sulfonated magnetic chitosan successfully prepared. XRD patterns showed the crystallinity of chitosan decreased by addition of Fe₃O₄ and sulfonation agent. SEM results showed the structure of sulfonated magnetic chitosan has a rougher surface than the pure chitosan. Removal percentage of methylene blue from water by sulfonated magnetic chitosan was higher than pure chitosan. This indicated that the sulfonated magnetic chitosan can be used as an adsorbent of methylene blue.