Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Chemistry Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 50-53)

ABSTRACT
This research is aimed to remove Chromium ions from water solutions containing
Chromium. Within this scope, chitosan coated Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were
synthesized by the co-precipitation method and modified by cross-linking with
glutaraldehyde to improve and optimize its absorption capacity for the removal of
Chromium ions. The synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR,
XRD and SEM. An application of quantified amounts of nanoparticles on targeted
water solutions , saw the synthesized nano particles being used as adsorbent to remove
chromium ions from water solutions impregnated with Chromium: an implementation
of the super-paramagnetic property that exist in chitosan coated magnetic
nanoparticles displayed during the removal process, saw the MNPs attracted unto one
corner of the volumetric flask, following a response to the magnetic field created by
an external magnet. Therefore, permitting an easy separation of the treated water
solution from the adsorbent.
AAS and UV-visible spectrometry analyses performed on the treated water samples,
confirmed the effective removal of chromium ions from water. A comparative analysis
of the AAS and UV-visible spectroscopy data for different concentrations of
chromium ions in water, shows removal trends for chromium ions that were based on
parameters such as; concentration of the chromium solutions and the amount of time
allocated for each treatment process. The highly effective nature of the adsorbent is
confirmed in that, it takes lower than 10minutes to attain a removal efficiency of more
than 97% of chromium ions for concentrations lower than 5ppm and a maximum of
20minutes for concentrations greater than 5ppm.
Keywords: Chromium, Heavy metals, Magnetic Nanoparticles, Water.