Modified Cobalt Ferrite Entrapped Chitosan Beads as a Magnetic Adsorbent for Effective Removal of Malachite Green and Copper (II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions

The applicability of magnetic cobalt ferrite entrapped chitosan beads (NH 2 -CF-CB) in water treatment is of research interest due to its biodegradable and cost-effective production. Amino-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are entrapped into chitosan beads which increases the binding sites for pollutants and makes magnetic separation easier. The feasibility of amino-functionalized magnetic chitosan beads was evaluated for malachite green dye and copper (II) ions. The synthesized NH 2 -CF-CB adsorbent was characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Braunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The adsorption of malachite green and copper (II) ions followed pseudo second order kinetics, which indicates chemisorption for both the pollutants. The maximum adsorption capacities of 357.16 and 158.73 mg.g −1 on NH 2 -CF-CB for malachite green and copper (II) ions respectively were evaluated from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The superlative adsorption capacities with reusability and ease of separation characteristics for adsorption of malachite green (organic pollutant) as well as copper (II) ions (inorganic pollutants) make NH 2 -CF-CB unusual low-cost adsorbent to diminish water pollution concern. Graphical Abstract