Removal of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solutions Using Magnetite Exchanger Resin

This research focuses on removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution using magnetite loaded cationic resin (MLCR) at three different temperatures 15, 30 and 40 °C. The uptake of Cu(II) follows Freundlich sorption isotherm and is endothermic in nature. Out of various kinetic models proposed, the šsecond order’ seems to fit in the experimental data in the best way. The sorption appears to be governed by chemical forces rather than physical electrostatic interactions. The Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm with mean sorption energy value of 9.45 kJ mol–1 also supports chemical nature of sorption process. The sorption capacity of MLCR particles for Cu(II) was found to increase with pH of the sorbate solution, thus reaching maximum at pH 6.0. The positive value of AHo indicates endothermic nature of uptake process and positive AS° indicates increased randomness due to sorption.