Synthesis and dyes adsorption properties of calix[4]crown-grafted chitosan chelating polymer

By the Schiff-base condensation of formacyl calix[4]crown(2) with raw chitosan, a novel calix[4]crown-grafted chitosan chelating polymer(3) was conveniently prepared in good yield. The structure of polymer 3 was confirmed by elemental analysis, infrared(IR) spectrometry and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis. The elemental analysis suggests that the grafting degree of calixcrown unit was 22% on the amino groups of chitosan. The morphological characteristic of polymer 3 was studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Polymer 3 possessed loose porous and smooth morphology of surface. The dyes adsorption abilities of polymer 3 for a series of organic dyes[Orange I(OI), Neutral red(NR), Victoria blue B(VB) and Brilliant green(BG)] were studied by solid-liquid adsorption experiments. The adsorption percentages increased from 45%―60%(raw chitosan for dyes) to 75%―90%(polymer 3 for dyes). The highest adsorption percentage reached 89% for VB. The saturated adsorption capacities for OI, NR, VB and BG were as high as 622, 564, 854 and 781 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption abilities kept stable at 70%―90% in the scope of pH=5―9. The adsorption abilities for anionic dye(OI) decreased gradually with the increase of pH and the opposite trend was observed for cationic dyes(NR, BG, VB). The adsorption percentages were 70%―90% after five times’ cycles for adsorption.