Immobilized chitosan as a selective absorbent for the nickel removal in water sample

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wu, Jian-min | Wang, Yong-yao

Affiliations: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China

Abstract: Method for preparation of chitosan immobilized on silica gel (CTS-silica) was described. The CTS-silica was used as absorbent for the absorption of nickel in water. The results showed that this absorbent had relatively high selectivity and strong affinity to nickel. The maximum absorption capacity for nickel can reach 667 mg/g of chitosan. Factors that affect the absorption capacity, such as pH, ion strength and the presence of calcium, EDTA and the mechanism of absorption were discussed in detail. The absorbent can be regenerated with acid and reused for several times. The recovery rate for nickel can reach 99.99%. This absorbent filled in a column can be used in nickel removal from wastewater and drinking water.

Keywords: immobilized chitosan, nickel, wastewater treatment

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 633-638, 2003