Improving Boron Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Amberlite IRA 743 Resin: the Role of pH and Resin Activation

Reducing elevated boron levels in aquatic ecosystems is essential due to its toxicity to humans and plants. This study investigates the use of activated Amberlite IRA 743 resin for boron removal from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments examined the effects of pH, initial concentration, contact time, and ionic strength on adsorption. Activation with 0.1 M HCl and 0.1 M NaOH significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity. Boron uptake increased with pH, peaking at pH 8. The Langmuir isotherm fits the data well, with maximum capacities of 6.39 mg/g for untreated and 9.75 mg/g for activated resin. Kinetics followed both pseudo-first- and second-order models, reaching equilibrium at 12 hours. NaCl and KCl had a negligible impact, whereas CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ improved boron removal. The activated resin achieved up to 93.2% boron removal in flue gas desulfurization wastewater. These results confirm activated Amberlite IRA 743 resin as a promising adsorbent for boron remediation in contaminated water.