Evaluation of a novel chitosan polymer-based adsorbent for the removal of chromium (III) in aqueous solutions

Novel poly(vinyl alcohol)/citric acid/chitosan (PVA/CA/CHT, PCC) beads were prepared as an adsorbent for the removal of trivalent chromium (Cr3+) in aqueous solutions. PCC beads with different mass ratios (I, II, III, IV, V, ad VI) between PVA/CA/CHT were evaluated for the removal of Cr3+ ions to find an optimal stoichiometry of PCC beads, which indicated that the PCC bead (II) with the PVA/CA/CHT mass ratio of 1/5/1 showed the highest adsorption for Cr3+ ions. The surface characteristics of PCC beads (II) were determined by scanning electron microscopy using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results obtained in this study implied that PCC bead (II) had an obviously rough and folded structure, and its spectrum manifested significant changes compared to those of PVA, CA and CHT. The sorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of PCC beads (II) to adsorb Cr3+ ions in aqueous solutions. Results indicated that the Cr3+ ion sorption onto PCC beads (II) was highly pH-dependent with the maximum uptake at pH 6.0. The sorption kinetics data were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order equation with high regression coefficients. Sorption isotherm of PCC beads (II) was well described by Langmuir equation, with a maximum sorption at 41.5 mg Cr/g PCC beads (II). Desorption studies were also carried out by the repeated sorption/desorption experiments. The high efficiency and reusability of PCC beads (II) make them an attractive sorbent for the removal of Cr3+ and possibly other metals in aqueous solutions.