Abstract
In this study, L-methionine and nano-Fe3O4 were encapsulated and cured on sodium alginate by the ionic cross-linking method to form magnetic composite gel spheres (SML). The influence of adsorbent dosages, pH, reaction time, and initial ion concentration on the ability of the gel spheres to adsorb Zn(II) was investigated. The experimental results indicated that under the optimum conditions, the maximum amount of Zn(II) adsorbed by the adsorbent gel spheres reached 86.84 mgˑg-1. The experimental results of adsorption indicate that the reaction process of this adsorbent fits well with the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and is a heat absorption reaction. The results of the adsorption investigation of the coexistence system showed that the adsorbent would preferentially adsorb Pb(II), and the adsorption efficiency of Zn(II) decreased when the concentration of interfering ions increased. The structure of this adsorbent and the adsorption mechanism were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermal gravimetric analyzer, vibrating sample magnetometer, scanning electron microscope, Brunner-Emmet-Teller measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that this magnetic composite adsorbent is a mesoporous material with superior adsorption performance, and the amino and carboxyl groups on it react with Zn(II) via ligand chelation; the ion exchange effect of Ca(II) also plays a role. The desorption-adsorption experiments of the adsorbent indicated that the adsorption amount of Zn(II) was maintained at a higher level after several cycles, and the loss of Fe was approximately 0.2%. In summary, SML is an ideal adsorbent for environmental protection.