Adsorption of sulphate ions by modification of sugarcane bagasse cellulose

This work describes the preparation of sugarcane bagasse cellulose with zirconium oxychloride for adsorption of sulphate ions in aqueous solution. The materials were prepared by using an ammonium solution as precipitating agent. The obtained materials were characterized by thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and surface area measurements. Sulphate ion was adsorbed on the Cell/ZrO2 center dot nH(2)O by immersing this solid in an aqueous solution of sulphate sodion. The analyses to determine the concentration after the adsorption were made using UV-vis spectrum, in a wavelength of 420 nm. The results were satisfactory showing that the Cell/ZrO2 center dot nH(2)O materials obtained presented good adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity was 0.4 mol g(-1) for both materials. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.