Adsorption of Copper Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Chitin
This study utilizes chitin to remove dissolved Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. The effects of the dissolved Cu(II) concentration, chitin dosage, and pH on adsorption of dissolved Cu(II) by chitin are determined. Adsorption capacity for 20 and 80 mg/L dissolved Cu(II) onto chitin (2 g/L) was 3.86 mg/g and 5.12 mg/g, respectively. The dissolved Cu(II) adsorption percentage increased from 39% to 70% when the chitin dosage was increased from 2 g/L to 4 g/L. The linear correlation coefficients of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were obtained. Analytical results demonstrate that the Freundlich isotherm fitted experimental results better than did the Langmuir isotherm. Enthalpy (ΔH0) and entropy (ΔS0) for dissolved Cu(II) adsorption were 8.46 kJ/mol and 123.1 J/mol.K, respectively.