Adsorption of cadmium (II) and copper (II) ions from aqueous solution using chitosan composite

The binary chitosan/silk fibroin composite synthesized by reinforcement of silk fibroin fiber into the homogenous solution of chitosan in formic acid was used to investigate the adsorption of two metals of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions in an aqueous solution. The binary composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. The optimum conditions for adsorption by using a batch method were evaluated by changing various parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, and pH of the solution. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Freundlich and Langmuir equations, indicated to be well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm equation under the concentration range studied, by comparing the correlation co-efficient. Adsorption kinetics data were tested using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. Kinetics studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order reaction. Due to good performance and low cost, this binary chitosan/silk fibroin composite can be used as an adsorbent for removal of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. (C) 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers