New efficient chitosan derivative for Cu(II) ions removal: Characterization and adsorption performance.

A new crosslinked chitosan grafted with methyl methacrylate (M-CTS) adsorbent was synthesized via free radical polymerization for effective removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. Crosslinked chitosan (1 g) was grafted with 29.96 × 10−1 M methyl methacrylate in the presence of 2.63 × 10−1 M ammonium persulfate as initiator at 60 °C for 2 h to give grafting and yield percentages of 201% and 67%, respectively. Batch adsorption experiment was performed as a function of solution pH, initial metal ion concentration and contact time. The isotherm data were adequately described by Langmuir model, while kinetic study revealed that the pseudo-second order rate model best fitted for the experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity for M-CTS at pH 4 was 192.31 mg g−1. Furthermore, the reusability of over six adsorption-desorption cycles suggested that M-CTS is a durable adsorbent and good candidate for metal ions treatment.