Novel Zr(IV)/sugar beet pulp composite for removal of sulfate and nitrate anions

A new inorganic/sugar beet pulp composite that can be used as anion exchanger material was prepared from sugar beet pulp (SBP) after loading with zirconium (IV) ions. The prepared anion exchanger material was examined for its ability to remove sulfate and nitrate anions from water. The effect of contact time, anions concentration, temperature, and pH on the adsorption capacity of Zr(IV)-loaded SBP was studied. The maximum adsorption capacity of Zr(IV)-loaded SBP was about 114 mg/g and 63 mg/g for sulfate and nitrate, respectively. In addition, the effect of the regeneration of the Zr-loaded SBP after anion removal has been studied. The results of anions adsorption test and EDX-SEM showed that zirconium ions are strongly bound to the carboxylate groups of SBP constituents, especially pectins, and are not leached as a result of regeneration. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010