The adsorption of mercuric ions by chitosan

The adsorption of mercuric ions by chitosan was investigated. The study of the adsorption kinetics shows that the rate of adsorption of mercuric ions on chitosan can be interpreted in terms of intraparticle diffusion as the rate‐limiting step. The experimental data of adsorption equilibrium from mercuric chloride solutions correlate well with the Langmuir isotherm equation, although at high‐solute concentrations, a multilayer type of adsorption with the subsequent increase in the uptake is observed. Column experiment confirms the ability of chitosan for the removal of mercuric ions from solutions in the absence of a high concentration of chlorides.