Removal of arsenic in water by an ion‐exchange fiber with amino groups

A new type of ion‐exchange fiber with amino groups, called RPFA‐I, was prepared. The amino modification and stretching resistance of RPFA‐I were characterized by FTIR spectrum, SEM test, and auto‐tensile test, respectively, and the removal of arsenite and arsenate in solution by RPFA‐I was investigated. The obtained experimental results show that RPFA‐I fibers have fine mechanical properties, and the amino functional groups have grafted to the surface of the matrix material. The adsorption results show that RPFA‐I has a high capacity and good adsorption kinetic property in removal of arsenate and arsenite at the trace level. The removal efficiency was 70% for arsenite and 93% arsenate, respectively, at the concentration of 5 mg/L. The isothermal adsorptions were correspondent to Langmiur/Frundlich adsorption equation, and the adsorption kinetics was fit to the Lagergren pseudosecond order rate equation. The adsorption of the used adsorbent could be efficiently regenerated by 0.1M NaOH in a simple way. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008