Visible sequestration of Cu2+ ions using amino-functionalized cotton fiber

Abstract

In this study, an amino functionalized cotton fiber, which was used to adsorb Cu2+ ions via visible sequestration, was prepared and investigated. The amino-functionalized cotton fiber (named as ACF) exhibited enhanced adsorption, selectivity and distinct color response to Cu2+ ions in aqueous solutions. The absorbance responses of ACF to Cu2+ ions (named as ACF-Cu), obtained from the a fiber optic spectrometer, were monitored with different pH values and initial Cu2+ ion concentrations. A linear relationship between the absorbance response and the initial concentrations of Cu2+ ions was established and can be used for the determination of Cu2+ ion concentrations in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, in the interference study, ACF showed great selectivity to Cu2+ ions when other ions (e.g., Pb2+ or Zn2+ ions) coexisted with the Cu2+ ions in solution. The ability of ACF to effectively detect Cu2+ ions with the presence of other interfering ions in solution was of great significance.