Treatment of arsenic-containing solutions using chitosan derivatives: uptake mechanism and sorption performances

Modified chitosan gel beads, which had been prepared by the molybdate adsorption and coagulation (in the presence of molybdate) methods, were tested for As(III) and As(V) removal from dilute solutions (in the range 5–20 mg As L−1). The sorbent is very efficient at removing As(V) from acid solutions (optimum pH close to pH 2–3), whereas the sorption capacities are significantly lower for As(III) uptake (230 mg As(V) g−1 Mo, 70 mg As(III) g−1 Mo, respectively). Since the sorption proceeds in acidic solutions with a partial release of molybdate and with residual concentrations (ca. 500 μg As L−1) above the regulations for drinking water, the process appears to be directed to the treatment of industrial effluents or as a pre-concentration process. The mechanism of As(V) sorption is related to the ability of molybdate ions to complex As(V) ions in acid solutions. The uptake mechanism was confirmed by XPS analysis and desorption studies. In the case of As(III) sorption the mechanism of uptake is not identified since no complex has been cited in the literature regarding As(III) binding to Mo (VI), which was also identified by XPS analysis as the sorption site. As(V) sorption is not influenced by the presence of co-ions, with the exception of phosphate anions at low concentration, and silicate at high relative concentration. Arsenic desorption can be performed using phosphoric acid solutions.