Chitosan magnetic microspheres for technological applications: Preparation and characterization

One of the major applications of chitosan and its many derivatives are based on its ability to bind strongly heavy and toxic metal ions. In this study chitosan magnetic microspheres have been synthesized. Acetic acid (1%w/v) solution was used as solvent for the chitosan polymer solution (2%w/v) where magnetite nanoparticles were suspended in order to obtain a stable ferrofluid. Glutaraldehyde was used as cross-linker. The magnetic characteristic of these materials allows an easy removal after use if is necessary. The morphological characterization of the microspheres shows that they can be produced in the size range 800-1100 mu m. The adsorption of Cu(II) onto chitosan-magnetite nanoparticles was studied in batch system. A second-order kinetic model was used to fit the kinetic data, leading to an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 19 mg Cu/g chitosan. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.