Rapid and high selective removal of Hg(II) ions using tannic acid cross-linking cellulose/polyethyleneimine functionalized magnetic composite

Abstract In this study, a new tannic acid cross-linking cellulose/polyethyleneimine functionalized magnetic composite (MCP) as a biomass adsorbent of Hg(II) ions was prepared. The morphology and structure of MCP were characterized with FT-IR, TG, XRD, SEM and TEM. The effect of the different factors such as pH, contact time, initial Hg(II) ion concentration, and adsorption temperature on the adsorption behavior was investigated. The results showed that MCP exhibited an excellent selectivity and reutilization, fast removal rate, and very high adsorption capacity. The corresponding adsorption capacity and removal rate of could reach 99.00% and 247.51 mg/g when the pH value, adsorption time, Hg(II) ion concentration were 5, 180 min and 100 mg/L at 293 K. The kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order, which indicated that the adsorption behavior of MCP for Hg(II) ion belonged to the chemical adsorption process and external diffusion. The thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption process was a spontaneous and exothermic process. After the fifth adsorption-desorption experiment, it still had better adsorption performance and reutilization. All in all, MCP with highly stable and efficient, as well as excellent reusability will be a candidate for industry-level applications from wastewater with Hg(II) ions.