A fully bio-sourced adsorbent of heavy metals in water fabricated by immobilization of quinine on cellulose paper.

The fabrication of a fully bio-sourced adsorbent of Cd(II) by covalent immobilization of quinine on cellulose paper is described. The double bond of commercially available quinine was converted to a terminal alkyne function which was reacted with cellulose paper, chemically modified with azide functions, through a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, leading to Cell-Quin. The adsorption efficiency of Cell-Quin was investigated to determine the optimal pH, contact time and dose of adsorbent, ultimately leading to high levels of removal. The mechanism of adsorption of Cell-Quin was deeply rationalized through kinetic experiments and isotherm modeling. We also showed that Cell-Quin could adsorb other heavy metals such as Cu(II), Pb(II), Ni(II) and Zn (II).