Co-precipitative preparation of sulfonated cellulose- magnetite hybrid sorbent for the removal of Cu 2+ ions

A novel sulfonated cellulose-magnetite (Fe3O4) composite sorbent was prepared and applied for the removal of Cu(2+) ions from an aqueous solution. It was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, elemental analysis, SEM, VSM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effect of the sorbent dose, initial solution pH, and temperature on Cu(2+) removal were studied. The removal of the Cu(2+) was completed in 15 min, and the sorption kinetics of Cu(2+) was found to follow a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. An equilibrium test demonstrated that sorption of Cu(2+) onto a hybrid sorbent agreed well with the Langmuir adsorption model for a maximum adsorption capacity of 4.2 mg/g. Moreover, the optimum pH for Cu(2+) removal was found to be >/=4. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters reveal the feasibility, spontaneity and endothermic nature of the sorption process. In addition, Cu(2+) ions can be desorbed from the sorbent with a 0.5 M H2SO4 solution.