Boron Removal by Sorption on Modified Chitosan Hydrogel Beads

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemistry

Background:

• Excess boron in water poses risks to plant yields and human health.
• Current water treatment methods for boron removal can be inefficient or costly.
• Developing effective and sustainable boron removal strategies is crucial for environmental protection and public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize hybrid biosorbent hydrogel beads composed of chitosan and manganese.
• To evaluate the efficiency of these biosorbents in removing boron from aqueous solutions.
• To investigate the sorption mechanism, kinetics, and reusability of the developed biosorbent.

Main Methods:

• Hybrid biosorbent hydrogel beads were synthesized using chitosan and manganese (II-IV).
• Batch sorption experiments were conducted to determine optimal conditions (pH, time, ratio).
• Sorption equilibrium and kinetic data were modeled using isotherm and kinetic equations.
• Characterization techniques (FTIR, RS, XRD, SEM, ICP-OES) were employed to confirm boron attachment.
• Desorption studies were performed using a NaOH solution to assess reusability.

Main Results:

• The biosorbent effectively removed boric acid from water at neutral pH.
• Maximum sorption capacity reached approximately 190 mg/g under optimal conditions (2 h, 20 mL/g ratio).
• Sorption data best fitted the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models.
• Manganese attachment to chitosan was confirmed, facilitating boron sorption.
• The biosorbent demonstrated successful boron desorption and reusability over three cycles.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid biosorbent hydrogel beads based on chitosan and manganese are highly effective for boron removal.
• This method offers a sustainable and efficient approach to improving water quality.
• The research contributes to reducing boron pollution in aquatic environments and safeguarding public health.