Preface

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, separation processes presented a comprehensive application of the major operations performed by various industries, such as chemical, food, environmental, and biotechnology. Sorption, one of the preferred separation processes because of its effectiveness at different interfaces, has caught the attention of many scientists. This book is aimed at gaining a general knowledge of sorption and a number of extremely important applications, as well as recognizing its functions and paramount importance in chemical and biochemical plants, including environmental treatment. Moreover, progress in the phenomenon is highlighted in this book.

To help provide instruction in the important sorption processes, we have chosen authors who have extensive industrial and academic experience in closing the gap between theory and practice. Crucial progress in the theoretical information section of sorption has been achieved, mainly through the development of new techniques that examine the usage of various sorbents, including nanomaterials for the removal of various pollutants. We have subdivided the book into various sections, one of which is focused on applications of the sorption process, which presents real results of the recent studies and gives a source of up-to-date literature. The relationship between the sorption process and isotherm and kinetics modeling is analyzed in another chapter. This book will be a reference book for those who are interested in sorption techniques from various industries.

For their frankness and diligence in reviewing the proposed chapters, I would like to thank all authors who have contributed to this book. We have incorporated many of their recommendations and the book is much improved as a consequence.

Special thanks goes to Dolores Kuzelj (Author Service Manager) for her dedicated support in the reviewing process and her suggestions for further improvement. Finally, all thanks to IntechOpen for publishing this book.

**II**

**Chapter 7 127**

**Chapter 8 151**

**Chapter 9 165**

**Section 3 185**

**Chapter 10 187** Modelling of Adsorption Kinetic Processes—Errors, Theory and Application *by George William Kajjumba, Serkan Emik, Atakan Öngen, H. Kurtulus Özcan* 

Sorption of Heavy Metals on Clay Minerals and Oxides: A Review

Marine Algae Bioadsorbents for Adsorptive Removal of Heavy Metals

Adsorption of Heavy Metals on Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs)

*by Ifeoma Mary Ugwu and Onyedikachi Anthony Igbokwe*

*by Mazen K. Nazal*

*and Serdar Aydın*

Intercalated with Chelating Agents *by Naoki Kano and Shuang Zhang*

Sorption Kinetics and Isotherm Models

**Dr. Serpil Edebalı** Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey

Section 1

Natural Sorbents

1

Section 1 Natural Sorbents

Chapter 1

Abstract

Biopolymer-Based Materials from

Processing, Characterization and

Biopolymers are polymeric materials derived from biological sources. Due to their renewability, abundance, biodegradability and other unique properties such as high adsorption capabilities and ease of functionalization they have been investigated for several industrial applications including sorption. Polysaccharides especially cellulose, chitin and chitosan are important biopolymers because of their high abundance, wide distribution and low cost of production. This chapter provides an overview of properties, common processing methods, and material characterization of three commonly studied biopolymers namely cellulose, chitin and chitosan. It provides a thorough review on recent developments on utilization of cellulose, chitin, and chitosan-based materials for various sorption applications. Specifically, their application and efficiency in organic dye removal, heavy metals removal, oil and solvent spillage cleanup, and CO2 adsorption are presented and discussed.

Keywords: cellulose, aerogels, chitin, functionalized cellulose aerogels,

As the name suggests, biopolymers are polymers synthesized by living organisms. Therefore, they are polymeric biomolecules i.e. long chain biomolecules comprised of covalently linked repeating monomeric units [1]. Living organisms (plants, animals, bacteria, fungi and yeast) synthesize a wide range of biopolymers such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins, cellulose, chitin, starch, etc. Biopolymers carry out countless number of vital functions, such as storage of energy, preservation and transmittance of genetic information, and cellular construction, in vivo. DNA and RNA are the hereditary materials for the storage and passage of the genetic information in all living organisms, and thus making perpetuation of life possible in the planet. Proteins not only catalyze reactions (e.g. enzymes) and take part in cell signaling (e.g. hemoglobin) but also

Polysaccharides: Properties,

Sorption Applications

Rohan S. Dassanayake, Sanjit Acharya

and Noureddine Abidi

biopolymer-based materials

1. Background

1.1 Biopolymers

3
