Chromium (VI) removal from neutral aqueous media using banana trunk fibers (BTF)-reinforced chitosan-based film, in comparison with BTF, chitosan, chitin and activated carbon

Abstract

Banana trunk fibers (BTF)‐reinforced chitosan (BTF-i-CTS) biocomposite film was prepared and characterized by means of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Characterization of the starting materials and the biocomposite indicated that BTF are widely immobilized in chitosan (CTS) by physical means. The water uptake results of BTF-i-CTS indicated a maximum water uptake of 338.23% with an equilibrium time of 72 h. The starting materials and BTF-i-CTS in comparison with chitin and activated carbon (AC) were used for the removal of Cr6+. The effect of pH, contact time and initial concentration was investigated. Contact time of 120 min and pH of ~ 7.00 were selected for the removal of Cr6+, at ambient temperature (27 ± 1 °C). The percentage removal of Cr6+ at pH ~ 7.00 and initial concentration of 50 mg/L using BTF-i-CTS, CTS, BTF, chitin and AC was observed 97.79, 97.78, 25.79, 36.80 and 23.78%, respectively. The data best-fitted pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm model indicated that chemisorption is the likely factor for the removal of Cr6+.