Removal of Co2+ from radioactive wastewater by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan magnetic composite

• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2013.12.005
• Publication Date: 2013-12-21T22:46:30Z
• Authors: Yehua Zhu; Jun Hu; Jianlong Wang
• Keywords: 0211 other engineering and technologies; 02 engineering and technology; 6. Clean water

Abstract Cobalt is one of the toxic radioactive elements and the removal of Co2+ from radioactive wastewater has received increasing attention in recent years. In this paper, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan magnetic composite was prepared and used for Co2+ removal. The effect of initial pH, contact time and initial Co2+ concentration on Co2+ adsorption was investigated. The kinetics, thermodynamic and isotherms of Co2+ sorption onto the composite were determined. The results showed that pseudo second-order equation could be used to describe the Co2+ removal process. The maximum sorption capacity was calculated to be 14.39 mg/g at pH 6.0 and 30 °C using the Langmuir model. The analysis of FTIR and SEM-EDAX were performed before and after Co2+ sorption onto the PVA/chitosan magnetic beads, revealing that the functional groups –NH2 and –OH played main role in Co2+ sorption process. PVA/chitosan magnetic composite is promising adsorbent for removing Co2+ radioactive wastewater.