Application of novel hybrid bioadsorbent, tannin/chitosan/sericite, for the removal of Pb(II) toxic ion from aqueous solution

Abstract

We addressed the development of a novel, low-cost, and high-efficient material from hybrid materials, known as microcapsules. Microcapsules are a composite adsorbent made of a mixture of tannin, sericite and chitosan. The FT-IR analysis showed that the microcapsules contain hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, and amino groups, which play an important role in the adsorption of heavy metals. The microcapsules were able to remove 99% of Pb(II) in 30 min, and obtained a removal efficiency of more than (13-50)%, compared with the single adsorbents of tannin, chitosan, and sericite. In adsorption kinetic analysis, pseudo-second-order adsorption was more suitable than pseudo-first-order adsorption, and chemical adsorption did not limit the adsorption rate of Pb(II) ion. In isothermal adsorption, Langmuir adsorption was more suitable than Freundlich adsorption, and the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity was 167.82 (mg/g). Furthermore, desorption and reusability studies, as well as the applicability of the material for wastewater treatment, demonstrated that microcapsules offer a promising hybrid material for the efficient removal of significant water pollutants, i.e., Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.