Versatile core/shell-like alginate@polyethylenimine composites for efficient removal of multiple heavy metal ions (Pb2+, Cu2+, CrO42-): Batch and fixed-bed studies

[Display omitted] •Versatility of polyethylenimine-polymer modified cost-effective biopolymer-derived beads for multiple heavy metals removal.•Detailed investigation on the testing conditions for batch and fixed-bed systems.•Excellent potential for continuous sorption for typically multiple metals.•Practical easy-to-recover and regenerate features of proposed adsorptive composites.•Excellent removal efficiency and fast kinetics in treatment of accidental multiple heavy metal pollution. Versatile adsorptive materials that can efficiently capture anionic and cationic heavy metals are extremely significant in purification of complex wastewater systems. Herein, a new type of amine modified, biopolymer-derived core/shell-like adsorbents were employed in heavy metal anion and cation adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities for Cr(VI), Pb(II), and Cu(II) were measured to be 497.1, 535.6, and 163.7 mg/g, respectively. The adsorbent also showed great performance in heavy metal cation adsorption in fixed bed column experiments. Additionally, removal efficiency and rapid adsorption kinetics on low concentration heavy metal pollutions for both anion and cations were well discussed to demonstrate the potential in real accidental heavy metal pollution. The prepared core/shell-like biopolymer adsorbents were demonstrated to be a kind of versatile adsorbent for both anionic and cationic heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions.