Enhanced Removal of Lead from Aqueous Solution Using Modified Chitosan

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the enhanced removal of lead from aqueous solution using chitosan coated carbon (CNC) in comparison with the commercially purchased chitosan (CN) and activated carbon (AC) materials. Functional groups such as -OH and -NH2 present in chitosan along with the functional groups of oxygen and aromatic compounds found in activated carbon makes CNC as the best adsorbent for lead removal for all concentrations of lead investigated. Batch adsorption experiments were performed as a function of adsorbent dosage, initial lead concentration, pH and contact time. At pH 6 and a contact time of 60 min, CNC showed enhanced adsorption capacity of 1.80 mg/g when compared to CN’s adsorption capacity of 0.21 mg/g which is an order of magnitude higher. The equilibrium modelling was described better by Langmuir isotherm model and the Pseudo second order kinetic model was applicable to the kinetic data.