Removal of Pb²⁺ Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using a New Modified Natural Chitosan Polymer

Abstract This study included two parts: the first part was to prepare new modified polymers from chitosan and azobenzoic acid and characterize them using spectroscopic analysis, and the second part was to study their ability to remove heavy metals from polluted water. The highest percentage of PGA grafting of the produced polymers was applied to remove Pb 2+ ions from water samples via adsorption experiments at pH 6.5. The amounts of Pb 2+ ions adsorbed on the polymer were estimated using atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of temperature on Pb 2+ adsorption was also studied. Langmuir and Freundlich models as well effect of contact time study were used to fit the experimental data. The Pb 2+ ions adsorption equilibrium results agree well with the Langmuir equation.