Preparation, characterization, and adsorption properties of chitosan microspheres crosslinked by formaldehyde for copper (II) from aqueous solution

The chitosan microspheres crosslinked by formaldehyde were prepared by spray drying method and used as an adsorbent for copper (II) from aqueous solution. A batch adsorption system was applied to study the adsorption of copper (II) from aqueous solution by chitosan microspheres. The maximum adsorption capacity of the chitosan microspheres for copper (II) was 144.928 mg/g at pH 6.0. Langmuir adsorption model was found to be applicable in interpreting the adsorption process. To elucidate the adsorption mechanism, the chitosan microspheres before and after copper (II) adsorption were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, zeta potential analysis, and scanning electron microscope.