Nano-iron oxide-encapsulated chitosan microspheres as novel adsorbent for removal of Ni (II) ions from aqueous solution

The present study investigates the utility of composite beads of nano-particles of iron oxide and chitosan for removing Ni (II) ions from aqueous solution by batch and column adsorption techniques. In the batch mode experiment, the influence of pH, concentration, adsorbent dose, temperature, column mode, bed height, flow rate and initial concentration were studied on the adsorption profiles of nickel ions. The maximum uptake of Ni (II) ions was obtained at pH 4.0 in 30 min at room temperature.