Iron-loaded zein beads as a biocompatible adsorbent for arsenic(V) removal

This work aims to modify zein, a corn protein, to be a biocompatible adsorbent for the removal of As(V) from water. This adsorbent was prepared by the incorporation of iron(III) chloride into 50% (w/v) of zein in ethanol and water (70:30 (v/v)) and dropping into cold water (5 degrees C) to form adsorbent beads. In the batch operation, various parameters, i.e., pH of solution, iron loading concentration, competing ions and adsorption time, were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the As(V) adsorption appeared to follow the Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 1.95 mg/g. (C) 2016 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.