Adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by tannins immobilized on collagen

Abstract Novel adsorbents were prepared by immobilizing tannins on collagen fibre matrices. Their adsorption properties, including adsorption equilibrium, adsorption kinetics, and column adsorption kinetics to Cu(II) were investigated. Immobilized Myrica rubra tannin and black wattle tannin exhibited significantly higher adsorption capacity than larch tannin and the adsorption isotherms of these three immobilized tannins can be described by the Freundlich model. Detailed adsorption studies of immobilized black wattle tannin to Cu(II) indicated that temperature had little effect on the adsorption isotherms whereas the effect of pH was significant. Adsorption rate data fitted well to a pseudo‐second‐order rate model, and the adsorption capacity calculated by this model was consistent with the result of actual measurement at relatively higher adsorption temperatures. Immobilized black wattle tannin also had excellent column adsorption kinetic properties and high binding capacity. The adsorptivity of the column was stable even after repeated adsorption–desorption cycles. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry