Cr(VI) and Cu(II) adsorption on hydrous zirconium oxide impregnated alginate beads

Abstract

A complex adsorbate was prepared by immobilizing hydrous zirconium oxide (HZO) into alginate beads (AB) for the removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed that HZO was successfully impregnated into alginate beads, and both Cr(VI) and Cu(II) were successfully adsorbed on the HZO-AB. The maximum equilibrium sorption capacities of HZO-AB for Cr(VI) and Cu(II) were 9.8 and 63.1 mgg-1 at pH 5, respectively. The adsorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with coefficient of determination, R2>0.99. The Langmuir was best correlated with adsorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) on HZO-AB (R2>0.99). The developed complex adsorbent (HZO-AB) is a good candidate for the removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution.