Application of cross-linked chitosan for phosphate removal from aqueous solutions

This study investigated the effectiveness of phosphate adsorption onto non-cross-linked chitosan beads [CHs], and onto chitosan beads cross-linked with glutaraldehyde [ALD-CHs] and epichlorohydrin [ECH-CHs]. The weight ratio of glutaraldehyde to chitosan was 1:2 (w/w), whereas that of epichlorohydrin to chitosan was 2:1 (w/w). The optimal pH value of the phosphate adsorption process was determined at pH 3 for cross-linked chitosan and at pH 4 for noncross- linked chitosan. The time needed to reach the equilibrium concentration reached 60 min for both adsorbents. Experimental data were described with the heterogeneous Langmuir model (double Langmuir equation). The most effective adsorbent of phosphates was shown to be chitosan cross-linked with epichlorohydrin [ECH-CHs] - for which the adsorption capacity reached 139.4 mg/g d.m.CHs. In the case of the remaining adsorbents (chitosan [CHs] and chitosan crosslinked with glutaraldehyde [ALD-CHs]) the adsorption capacity was lower and accounted for 44.38 mg/g d.m.CHs and 108.24 mg/g d.m.CHs, respectively.