Removal of Cd(II) and Hg(II) from effluents by ionic solid impregnated chitosan

Ethylhexadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide impregnated chitosan (EHDAIC) was prepared to remove cadmium and mercury from synthetic effluent. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and TGA-DTA. Adsorption studies were carried out under different conditions of pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, and contact time. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of EHDAIC is a function of the solution pH and the optimum pH for these metal ions was found to be 3.0. The equilibrium data has been described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity of 341.30 mg/g was observed for Cd(II) and 43.43 mg/g for Hg(II) in accordance with Langmuir adsorption isotherm in the form of their chloro complexes. The kinetic data fitted well with pseudo-second-order model, and equilibrium data was found to follow Freundlich isotherm model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption process was feasible, exothermic and spontaneous. Effect of common excipient ions was studied. Also the material was tested for large sample volumes using column extraction process. The adsorbent material could be regenerated for repetitive applications.