Adsorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by glycidylmethacrylate-grafted-densified cellulose with quaternary ammonium groups

This study successfully synthesized a new adsorbent by ethylation of glycidylmethacrylate grafted aminated titanium dioxide densified cellulose (Et-AMPGDC), to remove chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was characterized by the FTIR, XRD, SEM and TG-DTG measurements. Batch adsorption technique using Et-AMPGDC was applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution and waste water. The contact time necessary to attain equilibrium and the optimum pH were found to be 1 h and 4.5, respectively. The kinetics of sorption of Cr(VI) ions was described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations and the adsorption process was reflected by Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was evaluated to be 123.60 mg/g. The electroplating industrial wastewater samples were treated with Et-AMPGDC to demonstrate its efficiency in removing Cr(VI) from wastewater. Almost complete removal was possible with 100 mg of the adsorbent from 50 mL of wastewater sample. Desorption efficiency was achieved by treatment with 0.1 M NaOH and five adsorption-desorption cycles were performed without significant decrease in adsorption capacity. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.