Synthesis and characterization of modified sulfonated chitosan for beryllium recovery

Abstract A new adsorbent, sulfated crosslinked chitosan (SGCH), has been synthesized for the effective extraction of beryllium ions from their aqueous solutions. In recent times, beryllium extraction has been of great importance because beryllium can be used in many applications such as in nuclear reactor, heat shields, high-technology ceramics, alloys and electronic heat sinks. SGCH has been synthesized by two successive phases. The first is the conversion of chitosan (CH) into non-soluble cross-linked chitosan (GCH) through the interaction between chitosan and glutaraldehyde. The second step is the formation of functional sulfonate groups onto the adsorbent material through the interactio…