Removal of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution by Cellulose Ion Exchangers

Abstract

Abstract The sorption of metal ions [Cd(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cr(III), V(IV), V(V)] from aqueous solution by Whatman cellulose ion exchangers was investigated as a function of pH. Whatman P-11 (ammonium cellulose phosphate) exhibited better performance than a fibrous anion exchanger (Whatman Cellect-Ion Exchanger DT-1) with respect to their sorption capacities for Cd(II), Cu(II), Co(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Cr(III). The Cellect-Ion anion exchanger (DT-1) had a higher sorption for V(IV) and V(V). The ionic form of cellulose phosphate (P-11) influenced their metal sorption capacities. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully acknowledge Whatman International Ltd. (UK) for the support in providing Whatman Cellulose ion exchangers as a gift. We thank Mr. Mehmet Akcay for metal analyses.