Synthesis of sulfhydryl chitin and its adsorption properties for heavy metal ions

This article discusses the preparation of the water-insoluble adsorbent sulfhydryl chitin(s-chitin),by treatment of the chitin with sulfhydryl acetic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst.Its structure was confirmed by elemental analysis,FTIR spectra analysis and near-IR spectra analysis.We also investigated the adsorption properties of sulfhydryl chitin for Cu-Ⅱ,Cd-Ⅱ, Pb-Ⅱ,Cr-Ⅲ and Ni-Ⅱ.Based on the research results of adsorption capacity ,the effect of pH value on adsorption,adsorption kinetics experiments,and selective adsorption experiments were observed.It has been shown that the s-chitin has much better adsorption for Pb-Ⅱ,Cu-Ⅱ,and Cd-Ⅱ than chitin itself.The adsorption capactites of s-chitin for Pb-Ⅱ,Cu-Ⅱ,and Cd-Ⅱ were 108.3,94.7,and 57.1 mg/g,respectively.It also had good adsorption properties for heavy metal ions.The adsorption capacities were also affected by the acidity of medium.The adsorbed Cu-Ⅱ,Cd-Ⅱ,and Pb-Ⅱ could be eluted by diluted chlorhydric acid.(C) 2000 John Wiley& Sons,Inc.