Uptake of perchlorate from aqueous solutions by amine-crosslinked cotton stalk

Virgin cotton stalk was produced into an effective biosorbent for perchlorate adsorption. Surface analysis including BET surface area and SEM illustrated the reduction of porous structure in amine-crosslinked cotton stalk (AC-CS). Elemental and zeta potential analysis validated the graft of some positively charged amine groups on surface of AC-CS. Spectra analysis (XPS, FTIR and Raman spectra) suggested that interaction between AC-CS and ClO4− should be based on electrostatic attraction. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of AC-CS for perchlorate at different pHs (3.0, 6.0, 9.0 and 11.0) were calculated as 29.6, 42.6, 41.0 and 33.0 mg/g, respectively. The saturated perchlorate uptakes in column were in range of 25.0–38.1 mg/g at different pHs. In addition, the exhausted AC-CS column was regenerated by 0.5 mol/L of NaCl solution, which was adequate for almost complete desorption of the perchlorate.