Adsorption of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solutions by Ammoniated Cotton Fiber

This study describes the preparation of a novel chelating cotton fiber adsorbent, ammoniated cotton fiber (ACF), which was prepared by modifying cotton fiber with amino-HBP using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. This new adsorbent was characterized and analyzed for amine content, and by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The capacity of ACF to adsorb Cu(II) from aqueous solution was evaluated at different pHs, contact times and initial metal ion concentrations. The results showed that ACF was effective in removing of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions and the adsorption amount of Cu(II) reached 16.7374 mg g-1. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics were well fitted to the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model, respectively. The adsorption amount calculated using the pseudo-second-order model was in good agreement with the experimental data.