Synthesis of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membrane chitosan-polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) from styrofoam waste as adsorbents of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions

The adsorption of Cd(II) ions and Pb(II) ions has been studied using a chitosan polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) from styrofoam waste polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membrane adsorbent. Chitosan-PSS PEC membrane was characterized by FTIR and SEM. The adsorption experiment was performed under various conditions such as weight ration of PSS and chitosan as adsorbent, pH, contact time, and different initial Cd(II) and Pb(II) concentrations. The data showed that the optimum ratio of PSS and chitosan was 60:40 for Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. The optimum pH value was found to be 4 for Cd(II) ions and 5 for Pb(II) ions. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were used to describe the kinetic data of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. The data fitted well to the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The experimental data of adsorption Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions also were fitted to Freundlich isotherms. © 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.