The influence of chitosan deacetylation degree on reactive black 5 sorption efficiency from aqueous solutions

In the paper sorption capacity of chitosan having a deacetylation degree DD=75%, DD=85% and DD=90% relatively to the Reactive Black 5 were compared. Studies on the effectiveness of the dye sorption were carried out in a wide pH range – from 3 to 11. For each of the tested chitosan sorbents, sorption capacity has been determined. The results were described by isotherms Freundlich and Lagmuir isotherms, and a double Langmuir isotherm. Sorption of Reactive Black 5 most efficiently occurred at pH 4. At pH <4 chitosan sorbents underwent dissolution, regardless of the degree of deacetylation. The efficiency of dye sorption increased with the degree of deacetylation. The sorption capacity calculated after 12 h of the chitosan sorption with DD=75%, DD=85% and DD =90% was, relatively to the Reactive Black 5, respectively 433.03 mg/g and 464.52 mg/g and 532.14 mg/g. The impact of the deacetylation degree on pHZPC (zero point of charge) of the sorbent was also examined. Along with the increase in the deacetylation degree the value of chitosan pHZPC increased as well and at DD=75% DD=85% and DD=90%, pHZPC amounted respectively 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8.