METAL-ION REMOVAL BY DYED CELLULOSIC MATERIALS

Further studies on adsorption of different metal ions by the four dyed and undyed cellulosic substrates namely cotton fibers, bleached bamboo pulp, jute fibers, and sawdust were carried out. Different metal ions adsorbed were Fe2+, Fe3+, and Hg2+. The equilibrium metal adsorption was studied by EDTA method. The control and dyed substrates adsorbed these metal ions to a significant extent, thus providing an effective and cheap method for adsorption of costly but polluting and toxic metals like Pb2+ and Hg2+. The adsorption levels varied up to 95% for various substrate-dye-metal ion combinations.