Study on magnetic chitosan microparticles for rapid removal of heavy metals

The magnetic chitosan microparticles were prepared by microemulsion method and raid removal of Cd(II) and Pb(II). Batch tests were carried out to investigate the adsorption performance. It was found that adsorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was dependent on pH, and increasing the pH is favorable for heavy metal ions removal. The sorption isotherms of the adsorbent for these metals fitted better with Freundlich model than the Langmuir model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 69.83 mg/g and 18.03 mg/g for Pb2+ and Cd2+, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium was reached within 15 min. The temperature effects revealed that the adsorption capacity increased significantly with increasing temperature, and the adsorption process was endothermic in nature at 25 degrees C to 75 degrees C.