LAUSR

Abstract This work aims to develop an environmentally benign adsorbent using a facile single step synthesis and investigates its remarkably high efficiency toward adsorbing As(V) ions. A base material as simple as a cellulose sponge used in kitchens is chosen for this purpose, modified by coating with magnetite microparticles and then used as an effective adsorbent for the elimination of As(V) from aqueous solution. Fe3O4 coated cellulose sponge (Fe3O4-CS) is characterized using XRD, FESEM, TGA and VSM techniques. The optimum pH is found to be 7 and the saturation point is reached in 60 min. The best suited kinetic and isotherm model were determined through error analysis functions. The adsorption process behaves under a pseudo-second-order kinetic model with R2 value of 0.996 and follows chemisorption. The Langmuir model clearly describes the adsorption reaction with R2 value of 0.969. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent (Q0) is found to be 349.9 mg/g, which is substantially higher than those from previous reports. Such an exceptionally high Q0 value is backed by elemental mapping studies. Recyclability studies show the retention of 82% efficiency at the end of 5 cycles. Furthermore, the results obtained from column studies demonstrate the applicability of the sponge as an efficient filter for decontaminating As(V) from water. Thus, the developed material would be a promising candidate for the real-time and large scale applications.