Aminated cellulose as a versatile adsorbent for batch removal of As(V) and Cu(II) from mono- and multicomponent aqueous solutions.

A bioadsorbent (CEDA) capable of adsorbing As(V) and Cu(II) simultaneously was prepared by tosylation of microcrystalline cellulose (MC) and nucleophilic substitution of the tosyl group by ethylenediamine. MC, tosyl cellulose, and CEDA were characterized by elemental C, H, N, and S analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The adsorption of As(V) and Cu(II) on CEDA was evaluated as a function of solution pH, contact time, and initial solute concentration. The maximum adsorption capacities of CEDA for As(V) and Cu(II) were 1.62 and 1.09 mmol g−1, respectively. The interactions of As(V) and Cu(II) with CEDA were elucidated using thermodynamic parameters, molecular quantum mechanics calculations, and experiments with ion exchange of Cd(II) by Cu(II), and As(V) by SO42−. Adsorption enthalpies were determined as a function of surface coverage of the CEDA, using isothermal titration calorimetry, with ΔadsH° values of −32.24 ± 0.07 and −93 ± 2 kJ mol−1 obtained for As(V) and Cu(II), respectively. The potential to reuse CEDA was evaluated and the interference of other ions in the adsorption of As(V) and Cu(II) was investigated. Multi-component experiments showed that Cd(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) did not interfere in the adsorption of Cu(II), while SO42− inhibited As(V) adsorption.