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. 2015 Feb 4;5(1):154-179.
doi: 10.3390/nano5010154.

Cysteine-Functionalized Chitosan Magnetic Nano-Based Particles for the Recovery of Light and Heavy Rare Earth Metals: Uptake Kinetics and Sorption Isotherms

Ahmed A Galhoum  1   2 , Mohammad G Mafhouz  3 , Sayed T Abdel-Rehem  4 , Nabawia A Gomaa  5 , Asem A Atia  6 , Thierry Vincent  7 , Eric Guibal  8
Affiliations

Cysteine-Functionalized Chitosan Magnetic Nano-Based Particles for the Recovery of Light and Heavy Rare Earth Metals: Uptake Kinetics and Sorption Isotherms

Ahmed A Galhoum et al. Nanomaterials (Basel). .

Abstract

Cysteine-functionalized chitosan magnetic nano-based particles were synthesized for the sorption of light and heavy rare earth (RE) metal ions (La(III), Nd(III) and Yb(III)). The structural, surface, and magnetic properties of nano-sized sorbent were investigated by elemental analysis, FTIR, XRD, TEM and VSM (vibrating sample magnetometry). Experimental data show that the pseudo second-order rate equation fits the kinetic profiles well, while sorption isotherms are described by the Langmuir model. Thermodynamic constants (ΔG°, ΔH°) demonstrate the spontaneous and endothermic nature of sorption. Yb(III) (heavy RE) was selectively sorbed while light RE metal ions La(III) and Nd(III) were concentrated/enriched in the solution. Cationic species RE(III) in aqueous solution can be adsorbed by the combination of chelating and anion-exchange mechanisms. The sorbent can be efficiently regenerated using acidified thiourea.

Keywords: cysteine-grafting; magnetic chitosan nanocomposites; rare earth metals; sorption isotherms; thermodynamics; uptake kinetics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Scheme for the synthesis of cysteine-functionalized chitosan magnetic nano-based particles.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FTIR spectra of (a) chitosan-magnetite nanoparticles; (b) after cross-linking; (c) cross-linked chitosan magnetite with the spacer arm; and (d) cysteine-adsorbent.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of cysteine-sorbent nanoparticles.
Figure 4
Figure 4
TEM micrographs (the scale bars are (a) 100 and (b) 50 nm, respectively).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Magnetization curve of cysteine-functionalized chitosan magnetic nano-based particles.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effect of pH on the sorption of La(III), Nd(III) and Yb(III) ions using cysteine-functionalized chitosan magnetic nano-based particles (Ci = 100 mg·L−1; T = 300 K; t = 4 h; m = 0.05 g; V = 100 mL).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Effect of contact time on the adsorption of La(III), Nd(III) and Yb(III) ions (Ci = 100 mg·L−1; T = 300 K; pH = 5; m = 0.05 g; V = 100 mL).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Adsorption isotherms for La(III), Nd(III) and Yb(III) ions at different temperatures. (t = 4 h; T = 300 K; pH = 5; m = 0.05 g; V = 20 mL).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Van’t Hoff plots of ln KL against 1/T, for sorption of metal (III) ions.
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