The use of chemically modified cellulose for copper ions adsorption

This study was carry out to produce a cost effective biosorbent and to investigate the biosorption process involved in the adsorption of heavy metal such as copper using treated cellulose. Cellulose (MCC) and extracted cellulose of rice husk (RHC) were undergoing alkaline treatment with 5% NaOH. The operational parameters such as temperature, contact time, mass of the adsorbent, and agitation speed were fixed. The samples were then prepared in different pH solutions which were pH 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. In this case, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to analyse the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent. The results of the adsorption showed that the RHC has a great efficiency in removal of copper ion compared to MCC due to the decreasing of competition of Cu2+ and H+ ions with active sites. The highest percentages of copper removal that can be achieved by RHC was 98.10% and make it more reasonable compared to MCC which only achieved the highest at 79.30%. The increases of removal also can be strengthening by reduction in positive charge of the adsorbent which can bring about a lower electrostatic repulsion between the metal cations and the surface.