Fibrous mat of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/containing cerium(III) for the removal of chromium(VI) from aqueous solution

In the present study, the fibrous mat of chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) containing (CS/PVOH/Ce) is prepared by electrospinning technique. The chemical, structural and morphology characteristics of the fibrous mat are determined by Fourier infrared spectrum (FTIR) and transmission electron microscope (SEM) method. The functional groups and porous structure of the CS/PVOH/Ce fibrous mat shown in the FTIR and SEM results imply its potential ability in the adsorption of Cr(VI). To verify the analysis above, the fibrous mat is experimentally used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution in the optimized conditions. The adsorption data from the experiment can be fit well by Langmuir isotherm. Based on Langmuir model, is calculated to be 52.88 mg/g. In addition, adsorption kinetics of Cr(VI) ions is found to conform to pseudo-second order kinetics. The mechanism of adsorption can be interpreted as a combination of electrostatic adsorption coupled with reduction reaction between CS/PVA/Ce fibrous mat and Cr(VI) ions.