Elimination of Inorganic Pollutants Using a Novel Biomaterial Adsorbent

This study examines the effectiveness of calcium alginate-carboxymethyl cellulose gel beads (Ca-A/CMC) as an innovative biomaterial for chromium ion (Cr3+) adsorption. The composite hydrogel was created by physically cross-linking sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose polymers in the presence of calcium ions. Various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were used to analyze this novel biosorbent. These gel beads exhibit a significant adsorption capacity of 269.33 mg/g and a removal efficiency of 95%. The influence of different parameters, such as pH and contact time, on the adsorption capacity of Ca-A/CMC gel beads was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity was achieved at a contact time of 120 minutes and a pH of 5.8. To understand the adsorption behavior, several kinetic and isothermal models were applied. The adsorption data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with an R2 value of 0.988, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with an R2 value of 0.9998. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. These findings demonstrate the high efficacy and potential application of Ca-A/CMC gel beads for removing Cr3+ ions in wastewater treatment.