Cu2+ removal from aqueous solution by modified chitosan hydrogels

Abstract BACKGROUND: The adsorption of Cu2+ from aqueous solution using crosslinked chitosan hydrogels impregnated with Congo Red (CR) by ion‐imprint technology was systematically investigated with particular reference to the effects of contact time, pH, and initial concentration on adsorption. RESULTS: The adsorption capacity of the crosslinked chitosan without impregnation was only 68.68 mg g−1 for Cu2+. However, the adsorption capacity increased from 77.42 (without imprint ion) to 84.54 mg g−1 (imprint ion content 0.5 mmol) after the chitosan was impregnated with a ratio of 1/12 of CR to chitosan. The as‐prepared adsorbents were found to be pH‐dependent and the process of adsorption agreed well with the Freundlich isotherm. The loaded adsorbents could be regenerated and reused without the appreciable loss of capacity. CONCLUSION: Chitosan hydrogels impregnated with CR showed higher Cu2+ adsorption capacities compared with those prepared conventionally without imprint ion, and thus developed a good approach to increase Cu2+ adsorption efficiency in the treatment of waste‐water. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry