Efficiency of Amine-Modified Poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-Grafted Cellulose in the Removal and Recovery of Vanadium(V) from Aqueous Solutions

A cellulose-based anion exchanger (Cell-AE) bearing the -N+HR2Cl- functional group was prepared through graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate onto cellulose (Cell) in the presence of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linker using benzoyl peroxide as the initiator, followed by amination and hydrochloric acid treatment. The adsorbent was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface area analysis, thermogravimetry, and potentiometric titrations. Batch experiments were performed to evaluate the adsorption efficiency of Cell-AE toward V(V) ions in aqueous solutions. The maximum removal was observed in the pH range of 4.0-6.0. The adsorption process achieved more than 99.6% V(V) removal from an initial concentration of 25.0 mg/L. Adsorption kinetic data were described by pseudo-second-order equation. The equilibrium data fitted very well with the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity of Cell-AE toward V(V) was found to be 197.75 mg/g at 30 degrees C. Over 96.0% desorption of V(V) was achieved with 0.1 M NaOH solution.