Adsorption of Pb and Cu from Aqueous Solution by β-Glucan Crosslinked with Citric Acid

Abstract

One of biopolymer, β-glucan (BG) chains were crosslinked by citric acid under the heating condition for the adsorption of Pb and Cu ions in the aqueous solution. The variation of functional groups on BG itself and crosslinked β-glucan (CBG) with their surface adsorption characteristics were investigated by FTIR and SEM-EDX. Adsorption kinetic results showed that adsorption of Pb and Cu onto the CBG followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and intra-particle diffusion model. The Langmuir adsorption model was depicted better adsorption characteristics than the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities of Pb and Cu onto the CBG estimated by the Langmuir model were 59.70 and 23.44 mg/g, respectively. This study suggested that CBG may act as an eco-friendly adsorbent for the adsorption of Pb and Cu in the aqueous solution.