Tosyl-carrageenan/alginate composite adsorbent for removal of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions

The current study effectively designed novel cross-linked tosyl-carrageenan/alginate (Ts-Car/Alg) beads to remove Pb²⁺ ions from their aqueous solutions. To confirm the structure of the produced matrix, characterization methods such as XRD, SEM, FTIR, and EDX were used. Batch experiments were employed in order to further evaluate the adsorption efficiency of Pb²⁺ ions. Additionally, various variables, including contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial concentration of Pb²⁺ ions were investigated using atomic absorption. The results of this study showed that the adsorption equilibrium increased as Pb²⁺ ions concentration increased at pH = 5.3 after a contact time of 120 min, with 0.3 g of Ts-Car/Alg that having the best adsorption capacity at 74 mg/g. The adsorption progression was further examined using the kinetic and isothermal models. With a correlation coefficient of 0.975, the Freundlich model was thought to better fit Pb²⁺ ions adsorption from the isotherm investigation. Also, the adsorption kinetics were investigated using a pseudo-second-order model with 1/n ratio of 0.683. This Ts-Car/Alg adsorbent is regarded as an effective candidate to be used for water treatment because the reusability process of produced beads was successfully completed twice, and the adsorbent maintained its ability to remove Pb²⁺ ions. The prepared Ts-Car/Alg beads are therefore excellent candidates to be used as potent Pb²⁺ ions adsorbents from their aqueous solutions. The Ts-Car/Alg beads' regeneration and reusability investigation for the removal of heavy metal ions was completed in at least two successful cycles.