An alginate gel adsorbent to remove heavy
metal ions according to the present invention is prepared by adding dropwisely 0.1-5 wt % alginate solution to a polyvalent cationic solution thereby cross-linking
alginic acid with polyvalent cations. An alginate gel adsorbent containing
activated carbon capable of simultaneously removing heavy
metal ions and organotoxic materials, that is,
activated carbon / alginate gel adsorbent, is prepared by adding dropwisely a
mixed solution of 0.17-10 wt % of alginate and 0.1-10 wt % of
activated carbon powder to a polyvalent cationic solution thereby cross-linking
alginic acid with polyvalent cations in order to immobilize polyvalent cation to
alginic acid containing activated carbon. The polyvalent cationic solution is selected from the group consisting of
calcium chloride (CaCl2),
strontium chloride (SrCl2),
barium chloride (BaCl2) and
aluminium chloride (AlCl3). A flat board or a
thin membrane coated alginate gel adsorbent can be prepared by
coating alginate gels onto a supporter such as paper, wood plate and
textile fabrics. The alginate gel adsorbent for water purification can be applied to a water purifier as well as a process of
wastewater treatment. The alginate gel coated onto a supporter is prepared by immersing a supporter in 0.05-5 wt % alginate solution so that the supporter may uniformly adsorb the alginate solution, immersing the supporter in a polyvalent cationic solution thereby forming alginate gel on the surface of the supporter, and
drying the supporter formed with alginate gel thereon.