Preparation of sorbents based on chitosan and its sulfoethyl derivative for sorption of perrhenate ions

The ability of cross-linked chitosan to take up perrhenate ions was studied systematically. The degree of sorption from acetate buffer solution at pH in the interval 2.8–3.1 reaches 85% and more. N-Sulfoethylation decreases the sorption ability of chitosan, but expands the pH interval of sorption and shifts the optimum pH value toward higher acidities. The sorption materials exhibit higher sorption rate than standard synthetic ion exchangers do. The data obtained suggest predominant ion-exchange mechanism of sorption of perrhenate ions onto chitosan and its sulfoethyl derivative.