Magnetic Chitosan Schiff base functionaliized with MoS2 for the effective removal of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution

Heavy metals, being non-biodegradable pose significantly threat to the environment, public health and the economic sustainability. Chitosan-based adsorbents are one such efficient source which has gained attention for removing the heavy metal ions. Therefore, a novel material, MoS 2 -modified Chitosan Schiff base embedded with Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (MFC) was synthesized using 4-(benzo[ d ]thiazol-2-ylthio)benzaldehyde and was characterized with XRD, TGA, FTIR, SEM and EDS. The synthesized material was utilized as an adsorbent to check the uptake of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution. The maximal adsorption capacities for Cr (VI) and Cu (II) were observed to be 83.33 and 71.4 mg/g respectively which was well described by Langmuir isotherm model and followed a pseudo second order kinetic process. Thermodynamic variables were evaluated and the results showed that the adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic in nature and resulted in enhanced disorderness at the solid/solution interface. Desorption studies indicated the effective recovery of the metal ions and had the potential to reuse it as an effective adsorbent material. • Chitosan was modified using 4-(benzo[ d ]thiazol-2-ylthio)benzaldehyde and incorporated with MoS 2 -Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. • Structural and morphological properties were studied using XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM and EDS techniques. • The efficiency of the synthesized composite for removal of Cu (II) and Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution was investigated. • The adsorption mechanism was analysed using various adsorption isotherms and kinetic models.