Preparation of chitosan modified fly ash under acid condition and its adsorption mechanism for Cr(VI) in water

Chitosan-coated fly ash (CWF) was prepared by the acid leaching-coating method. Chitosan and fly ash were crosslinked in the solution of acetic acid and sulfuric acid. The microstructure of CWF was conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The removal of Cr(VI) from water by CWF was studied by adsorption experiments. The composite prepared by the experiment developed a pore structure and a crystal structure similar to SiO2 and chitosan chain-like coating was formed on the surface of fly ash. The new modified material has larger surface roughness, specific surface area and more adsorption channels. The Cr(VI) was enriched in modified materials by electrostatic adsorption between CrO42−, CrO72− and —NH3+ group and surface acid functional groups. The movement of Cr(VI) in solution is a diffusion process from the main body of the liquid phase to the surface of the liquid film.