Synthesis and characterization of metal loaded chitosan-alginate biopolymeric hybrid beads for the efficient removal of phosphate and nitrate ions from aqueous solution

The aim of this present scenario is to examine the removal performance and mechanism of phosphate and nitrate removal onto metal (Fe3+) loaded chitosan and alginate biopolymeric hybrid beads (Fe-CS-Alg) from aqueous solution. The batch adsorption experiments were accomplished via various operating parameters like pH, dosage, contact time, co-existing anions, and temperature. The equilibrium isotherm study was scrutinized by three different isotherm models like Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. The thermodynamic statics specifies that the spontaneous and endothermic nature of phosphate and nitrate adsorption. The proposed mechanism indicated that the removal of phosphate and nitrate ions was mainly governed by electrostatic interaction, complexation and ion exchange mechanism. Consequently, the adsorption mechanism was examined by studying the physicochemical characteristics of the beads and sorbate adsorbed beads using the FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDAX with mapping analysis and TGA analytical techniques. The performance of the Fe-CS-Alg beads in field condition was assessed with contaminated water sample taken from nearby an industrial area. Thus, the experimental outcomes clearly indicated that the developed biopolymeric hybrid beads could be utilized as the potential adsorbents for the removal of phosphate and nitrate ions from aqueous solution. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.