Synthesis of novel aminated cellulose microsphere adsorbent for efficient Cr(VI) removal

• A novel adsorbent was prepared by radiation grafting of VBC onto CMS and then amination.
• 107 mg/g Cr(VI) was adsorbed in only 1 h with an adsorption capacity of 129 mg/g.
• CVN is a promising bioadsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from waste water.

A novel aminated cellulose microsphere adsorbent (CVN) was successfully prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) onto cellulose microsphere (CMS), followed by amination. Micro-FTIR, XPS and SEM confirmed the structure of CVN. The adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) onto CVN from solution was well fitted by the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The isothermal adsorption of Cr(VI) was observed at pH 4.68 with adsorption capacity of 129 mg/g in accordance with Langmuir thermal model, and the removal of Cr(VI) from solution could be 91% at a low amount (20 mg) of adsorbent. The best pH for adsorption of Cr(VI) was nearly 3.08, and with the increasing of temperature, the adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) increased. XPS analysis confirmed the adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) was ion-exchange mechanism, while common co-ions such as Na+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Cl−, NO3− has no significant effect on the adsorption capacity of Cr(VI), and the Cr(VI) removal of 80% still could be obtained compared with that of fresh CVN adsorbent. Finally, spent CVN could be regenerated under 2 mol/L NaCl. The work indicated that aminated cellulose adsorbent could be prepared successfully by radiation-induced grafting and amination and CVN is a promising bio-adsorbent in the removing Cr(VI) from waste water.