Preparation of novel magnetic chitosan nanoparticle and its application for removal of humic acid from aqueous solution

Abstract A novel magnetic chitosan nanoparticle (MCNP) with a BET surface area of 108.32 m 2 /g was prepared using a time and energy saving method at mild condition. MCNP exhibits an excellent ability to adsorb humic acid (HA) from aqueous solution in a wide range of initial HA concentration. The rate of HA adsorption is rapid with more than 50% of HA can be adsorbed in initial 10 min, and the equilibrium state can be reached in 60 min. The adsorption kinetics data fits well to the pseudo-second-order model, and the adsorption process is transport-limited at low initial HA concentration and attachment-limited at high initial HA concentration. The Langmuir isotherm model fits the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating that the adsorption of HA onto MCNP is a monolayer adsorption. Based on the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity of HA is 32.6 mg/g at 25 °C. Thermodynamic parameters presents that the adsorption of HA onto MCNP is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The mechanism for the adsorption of HA onto MCNP involves electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. Regeneration studies indicate that MCNP can be recyclable for a long term. All the experimental results suggest that MCNP is a promising adsorbent for treating water that is contaminated with humic acid.