Functionalized nanobiomaterials: high-performance sorbents for chromium remediation from water streams

In present work, fabrication of functionally tailored nanobiomaterials paraben-modified nanocellulose (PNC) and (2,3-epoxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride-modified nanocellulose (EPTMAC-NC) for the remediation of trivalent and hexavalent chromium, respectively, from water streams has been done. The resulting PNC and EPTMAC-NC were characterized before and after sorption of chromium using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The sorption performance of PNC (23.92 mg/g; 95.67 %) and EPTMAC-NC (23.99 mg/g; 95.94 %) was evaluated for trivalent and hexavalent chromium, respectively, at 0.5 g biosorbent dose; 500 mL sample volume; 25 mg/L chromium conc.; 40 min kinetic time; pH (6.5 for trivalent and 2.5 for hexavalent chromium) and 298 K temperature. From isothermic, kinetic and thermodynamic modeling, the sorption of trivalent and hexavalent chromium was physisorption, spontaneous, feasible and endothermic in nature. These findings expose new path in the line of high performance, scalable and economic nanobiomaterials for the abatement of toxic metals from water streams.