title: Synthesis of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/zeolite composite for removal of methyl orange, Congo red and chromium(VI) by flocculation/adsorption.
abstract: A chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/zeolite composite was fabricated in this study. The composite was analyzed through field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, and weight loss test. FTIR and XRD results revealed a strong interaction among chitosan, PVA, and zeolite. Weight loss test results indicated that the composite was stable in acidic and basic media. Congo red was removed through flocculation, and the removal rate was 94% at an initial concentration of 100mg/L for a dose of 1g/L. The removal rate of methyl orange was controlled by adsorption at an initial concentration of less than 100mg/L. Flocculation occurred at high concentrations. The removal rate was also 94% at an initial concentration of 500mg/L for a dose of 5g/L. The adsorption behavior of the composite for the removal of methyl orange and Cr(VI) was described by using a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption capacity of the composite for Cr(VI) was 450mg/g. Therefore, the synthesized composite exhibited versatility during the removal of dyes and heavy metals.
authors.affiliation: Center of Advanced Material, Department of Mechanical engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Umma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Habiba
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tawsif A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Siddique
authors.affiliation: Center of Advanced Material, Department of Mechanical engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tan Chin
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: Center of Advanced Material, Department of Mechanical engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Areisman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salleh
authors.affiliation: Center of Advanced Material, Department of Mechanical engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Bee Chin
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.affiliation: Center of Advanced Material, Department of Mechanical engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: amalina@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Amalina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Afifi
keywords: Adsorption; Chitosan; Flocculation; Kinetic rate; Zeolite