Adsorption studies of the removal of anions from aqueous solutions onto an adsorbent prepared from wheat straw

Modified wheat straw (MWS) was prepared by the grafting of epichlorohydrin, triethylamine and ethylenediamine onto WS. The characteristics of MWS and its adsorption capacity for NO ₃ ^? , PO ₄ ^3? and Cr₂O ₇ ^2? were investigated. The results indicate that amine groups with positive charge have been introduced into the structure of MWS, and significantly increased its anion adsorption property. The functions of MWS dosage, the solution pH, the contact time and temperature have significant influence on the adsorption process, and the adsorption is well fitted with the Langmuir equation and pseudo second-order model. The maximum adsorption capacity of MWS for NO ₃ ^? , PO ₄ ^— (P) and Cr₂O ₇ ^2? (Cr) is 53.5, 62.4 and 386.2 mg g^?1, respectively.