Graphene oxide functionalized chitosan-magnetite nanocomposite for removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) from waste water.

A novel adsorbent material for removal of metal ions from aqueous solution was made by modifying chitosan. The schiff base prepared from reaction of chitosan with 3-(p-anisyl)-4-formylsydnone was further functionalized with graphene oxide. Finally Fe3O4 nanoparticles were incorporated into the modified chitosan to obtain a novel adsorbent material. The nanocomposite made was characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDS and XRD techniques and evaluated for adsorptive removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent for Cu(II) and Cr(VI) ions were found to be 111.11 and 142.85 mgg-1 respectively. The adsorption data fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model and followed pseudo second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters indicated the adsorption to be spontaneous and endothermic. The desorption studies revealed the efficient recovery of adsorbate species and possible reusability of the adsorbent material.