Investigation of α‐iron oxide‐coated polymeric nanocomposites capacity for efficient heavy metal removal from aqueous solution

In the present study, PS@α‐Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites were prepared by chemical microemulsion polymerization approach and the ability of magnetic beads to remove Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions in a batch media was investigated. Various physico‐chemical parameters such as pH, initial metal ion concentration, temperature, and equilibrium contact time were also studied. Adsorption mechanism of Cu²⁺ ions onto magnetic polymeric adsorbents has been investigated using Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Redlich–Petersen isotherms. The results demonstrated that the PS@α‐Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite is an effective adsorbent for Cu²⁺ ions removal. The Sips adsorption isotherm model (R² > 0.99) was more in consistence with the adsorption isotherm data of Cu(II) ions compared to other models and the maximum adsorbed amount of copper was 34.25 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics well fitted to a pseudo second‐order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°) were calculated from the temperature dependent sorption isotherms, and the results suggested that copper adsorption was a spontaneous and exothermic process. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2735–2742, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Uptake of Pb2+ Using N-Vinyl Imidazole Based Uniform Porous Hydrogels

The uniform porous and continuous phase lead (II) adsorbent hydrogel, was prepared by copolymerizing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), acrylic acid (AAc), and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAAm), with n-vinyl imidazole (VIM). A series of hydrogels, including different ratios of VIM, were prepared by photopolymerization and characterized. The influence of the uptake conditions such as pH, functional monomer percent, contact time, initial feed concentration, and foreign metal ions on the metal ion binding capacity of hydrogel, were also tested. The selective chelation of heavy metal ions from synthetic wastewater was also studied. The affinity order on molar basis was observed as follows: Pb (II) > Zn (II) > Cd (II). Chelation behavior of heavy metal ions could be modelled using both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and it was seen that the Langmuir isotherm model was the best fit for the adsorption of Pb (II) ions in P(VIM/AAc/HEMA) hydrogel. Moreover, the limits of detection and the quantification values were determined. Regeneration of the hydrogels was easily performed with 1 M HCl and the same hydrogel can be reused five times almost without any loss of adsorption capacity. All these features make P(VIM/AAc/HEMA) hydrogels potential candidate adsorbent for heavy metal removal.     

The adsorption behavior of cesium on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/itaconic acid) copolymeric hydrogels

In this study, N-isopropylacrylamide/itaconic acid (NIPAAm/IA) hydrogels prepared by irradiating with γ radiation were used in experiments on cesium ion adsorption. The cesium ion adsorption capacity of the hydrogels was investigated as a function of Cs⁺ concentration, pH and temperature. The adsorption behavior of cesium was evaluated by using the radiotracer method. The adsorption isotherm models were applied to the experimental data, and it was seen that Freundlich isotherm explained the adsorption better than Langmuir isotherm. Two simplified kinetic models including pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equation were selected to follow the adsorption processes. The Cs⁺ adsorption could be best described by the pseudo-first-order equation. The thermodynamic parameters including ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° for adsorption processes of Cs⁺ on the hydrogel were also calculated, and the negative ΔH° and ΔG° confirmed that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous.     

Removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions by starch-graft-acrylic acid/montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite hydrogels

In this study, the removal of copper(II) and lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions by Starch-graft-acrylic acid/montmorillonite (S-g-AA/MMT) nanocomposite hydrogels was investigated. For this purpose, various factors affecting the removal of heavy metal ions, such as treatment time with the solution, initial pH of the solution, initial metal ion concentration, and MMT content were investigated. The metal ion removal capacities of copolymers increased with increasing pH, and pH 4 was found to be the optimal pH value for maximum metal removal capacity. Adsorption data of the nanocomposite hydrogels were modeled by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation in order to investigate heavy metal ions adsorption mechanism. The observed affinity order in competitive removal of heavy metals was found Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺. The Freundlich equations were used to fit the equilibrium isotherms. The Freundlich adsorption law was applicable to be adsorption of metal ions onto nanocomposite hydrogel.     

Uranyl ions uptake on poly(AAc/AAm)-cl-N,N-MBAAm hydrogel

In the present article, we report two well-characterized hydrogels for the adsorption of uranyl ions from 5% NaCl solution. The hydrogel was synthesized by free radical initiation from acrylamide and acrylic acid using N,N-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinker. In order to improve ion uptake performance, the hydrogel was hydrolyzed to partially convert some of the amide groups into carboxylate groups. The uranyl ion adsorption was studied as a function of hydrogel structure, uranyl ions concentration, pH, temperature, and mass of hydrogel. The partially hydrolyzed hydrogel exhibited the maximum uranyl ion uptake of 236.6 mgg⁻¹ in 480 min at 45 °C and at pH 13. Good reproducibility of results was observed and the evidence of sorption at the optimum pH and ion concentration was obtained by comparison of FTIR spectra of the precursor and uranyl ions loaded hydrogels. The performance of both the hydrogels was found to be higher than that of a commercial resin, Amberlite IRC-718. The experimental data shows good match with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and pseudo-first order kinetics.     

Behaviors of polyelectrolyte AAm/AMPS/bentonite composite hydrogels in uptake of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions

Uranyl ion (UO₂²⁺) sorption properties of polyelectrolyte composite hydrogels made by the polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and clay such as bentonite (Bent) were investigated as a function of composition to find materials with swelling and uranyl ion sorption properties. Highly swollen AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels were prepared by free radical solution polymerization in aqueous solutions of AAm with AMPS as co‐monomer and two multifunctional crosslinkers such as ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 1,4 butanediol dimethacrylate (BDMA). Swelling experiments were performed in water at 25°C, gravimetrically. The influence of AMPS content in hydrogels was examined. Uranyl ion adsorption from aqueous solutions was studied by batch sorption technique at 25°C. The effect of uranyl ion concentration and mass of AMPS on the uranyl ion adsorption were examined. Finally, adsorption capacity (the amount of sorbed uranyl ion per gram of dry hydrogel) (q) was calculated to be 0.67 × 10⁻³–2.11 × 10⁻³ mol uranyl ion per gram for the hydrogels. Removal effiency of uranyl ions (RE%) was changed range 9.05–29.92%. The values of partition ratio (K_d) of uranyl ions was calculated to be 0.10–0.43 for AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/Bent composite hydrogels, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions by radiation‐induced chitosan/(acrylamidoglycolic acid‐co‐acrylic acid) magnetic nanopolymer

An effective method was developed to isolate toxic heavy metal ions from the aqueous solution by the magnetic nanopolymers. The magnetic sorbent was prepared with radiation‐induced crosslinking polymerization of chitosan (CS), 2‐acrylamido‐glycolic acid (AMGA), and acrylic acid (AAc), which stabilized by magnetite (Fe₃O₄) as nanoparticles. The formation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into the hydrogel networks was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the formation of MNPs throughout the hydrogel networks. The swelling behavior of the hydrogels and magnetic ones was evaluated at different pH values. The adsorption activity for heavy metals such as Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ by nonmagnetic and magnetic hydrogels, Fe₃O₄/CS/(AMGA‐co‐AAc), in terms of adsorption amount was studied. It was revealed that hydrogel networks with magnetic properties can effectively be used in the removal of heavy metal ions pollutants and provide advantageous over conventional ones. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1441–1449, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Sorption properties of the iminodiacetate ion exchange resin,amberlite IRC‐718, toward divalent metal ions

The sorption properties of the commercially available cationic exchange resin, Amberlite IRC‐718, that has the iminodiacetic acid functionality, toward the divalent metal‐ions, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ni²⁺ were investigated by a batch equilibration technique at 25°C as a function of contact time, metal ion concentration, mass of resin used, and pH. Results of the study revealed that the resin exhibited higher capacities and a more pronounced adsorption toward Fe²⁺ and that the metal‐ion uptake follows the order: Fe²⁺ > Cu²⁺> Zn²⁺ >Ni²⁺. The adsorption and binding capacity of the resin toward the various metal ions investigated are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Competitive Separation of Lead,Cadmium, and Nickel from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Carbon: Response Surface Modeling,Equilibrium, and Thermodynamic Studies

In this study, the competitive separation of lead, cadmium, and nickel ions from aqueous solutions using a commercial activated carbon (AC) has been investigated and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal conditions to reach the highest adsorption capacity for these metals were found as follows: initial pH = 6.3, temperature = 56.8°C, and shaking speed = 308 rpm. Under these conditions, the sequence of adsorption capacity toward the metal ions was as follows: Pb (II): 9.44 mg g^?1 > Cd (II): 9.37 mg g^?1 > Ni (II): 4.52 mg g^?1. The effect of shaking speed on the adsorption capacity of AC was higher than the effects of the initial pH and temperature, indicating the more important role of physisorption than chemisorption in the adsorption of these metal ions. This was confirmed by the results of thermodynamic studies. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to the Freundlich, Langmuir adsorption isotherm models and the Dubinin–Radushkevich model parameters were evaluated. All the models were tested and all were shown to represent the experimental data satisfactorily. The thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG were computed from the experimental data. These values show that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous. The positive value of ΔS° indicates increasing of randomness at the solid/liquid interface during the adsorption of metal ions on AC.     

Pectin‐[(3‐acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride‐co‐acrylic acid] hydrogel prepared by gamma radiation and selectively silver (Ag) metal adsorption

Pectin‐[(3‐acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride‐co‐acrylic acid] hydrogel has been prepared from the aqueous blend solution of pectin, (3‐acrylamidopropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC), and acrylic acid (AAc) by applying gamma radiation of different doses (1–25 kGy) from ⁶⁰Co gamma source. The hydrogels were characterized by equilibrium swelling, Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The hydrogels were used in multielement adsorption and it was found that pectin‐(APTAC‐co‐AAc) gel is highly selective toward silver (I) ion among 27 metal ions. The data obtained from equilibrium adsorption studies were fitted in Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models and model parameters evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacity of pectin‐(APTAC‐co‐AAc) gel was found to be 67.6413 mg/g of dry gel at sample volume of 25 mL. The kinetic data were tested using pseudo‐first order and pseudo‐second order kinetic models and different adsorption diffusion models such as film diffusion and intra‐particle diffusivity model. Thiourea solution was used for desorption of adsorbed metal ions from the hydrogel. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45906.     

Ability of iron(III)‐loaded carboxylated polyacrylamide‐grafted sawdust to remove phosphate ions from aqueous solution and fertilizer industry wastewater: Adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies

Iron(III)‐loaded carboxylated polyacrylamide‐grafted sawdust was investigated as an adsorbent for the removal of phosphate from water and wastewater. The carboxylated polyacrylamide‐grafted sawdust was prepared by graft copolymerization of acrylamide and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide onto sawdust in the presence of an initiator, potassium peroxydisulfate. Iron(III) was strongly attached to the carboxylic acid moiety of the adsorbent. The adsorbent material exhibits a very high adsorption potential for phosphate ions. The coordinated unsaturated sites of the iron(III) complex of polymerized sawdust were considered to be the adsorption sites for phosphate ions, the predominating species being H₂PO ions. Maximum removal of 97.6 and 90.3% with 2 g L^?1 of the adsorbent was observed at pH 2.5 for an initial phosphate concentration of 100 and 250 μmol L^?1, respectively. The adsorption process follows second‐order kinetics. Adsorption rate constants as a function of concentration and temperature and kinetic parameters, such as ΔG^±, ΔH^±, and ΔS^±, were calculated to predict the nature of adsorption. The L‐type adsorption isotherm obtained in the sorbent indicated a favorable process and fitted the Langmuir equation model well. The adsorption capacity calculated by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm gave 3.03 × 10^?4 mol g^?1 of phosphate removal at 30°C and pH 2.5. The isosteric heat of adsorption was also determined at various surface loadings of the adsorbent. The adsorption efficiency toward phosphate removal was tested using industrial wastewater. Different reagents were tested for extracting phosphate ions from the spent adsorbent. About 98.2% of phosphate can be recovered from the adsorbent using 0.1M NaOH. Alkali regeneration was tried for several cycles with a view to recover the adsorbed phosphate and also to restore the adsorbent to its original state. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2541–2553, 2002     

Removal of Copper(II) and Zinc(II) from Aqueous Solutions Using a Lignocellulosic-Based Polymeric Adsorbent Containing Amidoxime Chelating Functional Groups

In this study, the adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions onto amidoximated polymerized banana stem (APBS) has been investigated. Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm graft copolymer formation and amidoxime functionalization. The different variables affecting the sorption capacity such as pH of the solution, adsorption time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature have been investigated. The optimum pH for maximum adsorption was 10.5 (99.99%) for Zn²⁺ and 6.0 (99.0%) for Cu²⁺ at an initial concentration of 10 mg L^?1. Equilibrium was achieved approximately within 3 h. The experimental kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models and are well fitted with pseudo- second-order kinetics. The thermodynamic activation parameters such as ΔG^o, ΔH^o, and ΔS^o were determined to predict the nature of adsorption. The temperature dependence indicates an exothermic process. The experimental isotherm data were well fitted to the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacities of 42.32 and 85.89 mg g^?1 for Cu(II) and Zn(II), respectively, at 20°C. The adsorption efficiency was tested using industrial effluents. Repeated adsorption/regeneration cycles show the feasibility of the APBS for the removal of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from water and industrial effluents.     

Use of super absorbent hydrogels derivative from acrylamide with itaconic acid and itaconates to remove metal ions from aqueous solutions

Poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) (AAm/IA) and poly(acrylamide-co-monomethoxyethyl itaconate) (AAm/MEI) hydrogels (HGs) synthesized at different molar ratios were used to study the adsorption of some metal ions as Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Fe³⁺ in aqueous solutions at different concentration: 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 mg L⁻¹. Statistical analysis was performed and the effect of the metal ion, ion concentration, and hydrogel (HG) composition, on adsorption and adsorption efficiency, was evaluated for both HGs studied (AAm/IA and AAm/MEI) and each factor gave rise to significant differences (P ≤ 0.05). The adsorption depends on the type of ion, its concentration, and also influenced by the type and composition of the HGs. For each system the adsorption efficiencies for all ions were similar with exception of Fe³⁺, which showed the highest adsorption efficiency in AAm/MEI HG, but the less for the AAm/IA. For both systems, the maximum adsorption efficiency was observed when the molar ratio AAm/IA or AAm/MEI is 80/20. When the adsorption was carried out with individual ions, AAm/MEI HG was more efficient than AAm/IA. For a multielement sample of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cd²⁺, both HGs could adsorb all the ions and their behavioral trend was the same in both cases, in which the adsorption efficiency was Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Ni²⁺. The results of the statistical analysis evidence the advantage of its use in this type of studies. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46999     

Adsorption of Cu2+ ions with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐methacrylic acid) micro/nanoparticles

Chelation efficiency of stimuli‐responsive poly(N‐iospropylacrylamide‐co‐methyacrylic acid) (PNIPAAm‐MAA) nanoparticles with Cu²⁺ ions from CuSO₄·5H₂O solution and from wood treated with copper‐based preservatives was studied. It was shown that particle size played a very important role in the adsorption process. The nano‐scale particles showed much improved Cu ion adsorption efficiency, compared with the micro hydrogels. The amount of Cu ion adsorption increased with increase of MAA ratio in copolymers and adsorption efficiency decreased with increased particle size. Furthermore, the adsorption amount varied with adsorption temperature at temperatures both below and above the corresponding low critical solution temperature (LCST). The high adsorption efficiency of Cu ions by PNIPAAm‐MAA polymer particles provides an effective technique for recovering metal ions (e.g., Cu²⁺) from wood treated with metal‐based preservatives. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Spectroscopic and thermal studies of poly[(N‐vinylimidazole)‐co‐(maleic acid)] hydrogel and its quaternized form

BACKGROUND: In this study, poly[(N‐vinylimidazole)‐co‐(maleic acid)] (poly(VIm/MA)) hydrogels were prepared by γ‐irradiation of ternary mixtures of N‐vinylimidazole–maleic acid–water using a ⁶⁰Co γ‐source. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses of these hydrogels as a function of protonation showed that the results are consistent with the existence of an H‐bridged complex when the imidazole rings are partially protonated. Finally, the efficiency and binding trends of Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions with both protonated and unprotonated poly(VIm/MA) hydrogels were determined. RESULTS: Gelation of 90% was reached at around 180 kGy dose at the end of irradiation. The poly(VIm/MA) hydrogels synthesized were further protonated in HCl solutions with different concentrations. Hydrogels originally showed 450% volumetric swelling; this ratio reached 1900% after protonation at pH = 5.0. Fourier transform infrared spectral changes in the ⁺N? H stretching region (3200–3600 and 1173 cm^?1) and the ring mode deformation at 915 cm^?1 are consistent with the formation of an H‐bridged complex between the protonated and unprotonated imidazole rings upon partial protonation. Similar changes were obtained from NMR spectra of both the protonated and unprotonated forms of the hydrogels. CONCLUSION: Protonated and unprotonated hydrogels have been used in heavy metal ion adsorption studies for environmental purposes. Adsorption decreased with decreasing pH value due to the protonation of the VIm ring. The adsorption of Me²⁺ ions decreased in the order Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺, which is related to the complexation stability as well as the ionic radius of the metal ions. These results show that P(VIm/MA) hydrogels can be used efficiently to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. However, the protonated form is a bad choice for heavy metal ion adsorption due to electrostatic repulsion forces; it can nevertheless be assumed to be a good choice for anion adsorption from environmental waste water systems. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Adsorption capacity,kinetics, and mechanism of copper(II) uptake on gelatin‐based hydrogels

Gelatin‐based hydrogels were synthesized and characterized for use as Cu²⁺‐ion sorbents. Gelatin was crosslinked in the presence of two different monomers, that is, acrylamide (AAm) and/or 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate, with N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide, ammonium persulfate, and sodium bicarbonate. The as‐prepared hydrogels were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and the study of their swelling behavior as a function of temperature, time, and pH to evaluate their structure–property relationships. The hydrogels were observed to be good sorbents of Cu²⁺, and a maximum uptake of 84.8% was observed within 2 h at 37°C and with 10 ppm of the Cu²⁺‐ion solution for the gelatin and polyacrylamide hydrogel, which also exhibited the maximum retention capacity at 14.9 mg/g after four feeds. All of the experimental data exhibited good matches with the Langmuir isotherm and followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation and coordination behavior of cellulose beads derivative modified by 1,5‐diaminoethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐1,5‐diazacycloheptane

Cellulose derivative (MPCN) modified by 1,5‐diaminoethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐1,5‐diazacycloheptane (DADN) was prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and elemental, and infrared analysis. MPCN and its Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ complexes were characterized by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The coordination adsorption behavior of MPCN with divalent copper and lead ions was determined. The effects of temperature, initial pH value, and the concentration of MPCN ligand to the equilibrium adsorption were discussed. The optimum pH range of the coordination adsorption of MPCN with Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ is 5–6. The rate constants of the coordination reaction were found. At 323 K, the rate constant is 1.0 × 10⁻³ and 7.0 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters of the coordination reaction were obtained based on the experiment data of the adsorption isotherms. The coordination reaction was performed spontaneously from the data of ΔG, as follows: −21.65 and −19.41 kJ/mol and ΔS, 87.06 and 67.92 J/mol K for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺, respectively. The coordination ratio of DADN coordination group immobilized on cellulose beads with either metal ion is about 1 : 2 from the plot of the relation of lgD versus lgL and the capacity of saturation adsorption. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1278–1285, 1999     

Removal of phosphate ions with a chemically modified chitosan/metal‐ion complex

The adsorption of metal ions (Mo⁶⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺) was examined on chemically modified chitosans with a higher fatty acid glycidyl (CGCs), and the adsorption of Cu²⁺ was examined on ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid dianhydride modified CGCs (EDTA‐CGCs) synthesized by the reaction of the CGCs with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid dianhydride. The adsorption of phosphate ions onto the resulting substrate/metal‐ion complex was measured. Mo⁶⁺ depicted remarkable adsorption toward the CGCs, although all the Mo⁶⁺ was desorbed under the adsorption conditions of the phosphate ions. The other metal ions were adsorbed to some extent on CGCs by chelating to the amino group in the substrate, except for CGC‐1, which had the highest degree of substitution (83.9%). Considerable amounts of Fe²⁺ were adsorbed onto CGCs; however, only a limited number of phosphate ions was adsorbed onto the substrate/metal‐ion complex. As a result, the following adsorbent/metal‐ion complexes gave higher adsorption ability toward phosphate ions: CGC‐4/Cu²⁺, CGC‐4/Fe³⁺, and EDTA‐CGC‐3/Fe³⁺. Where, CGC‐3 is a chemically modified chitosan with the degree of substitution of 26.5 percentage, and CGC‐4 is one with the degree of substitution of 16.0 percentage. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Cu2+ removal from aqueous solution by modified chitosan hydrogels

BACKGROUND: The adsorption of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution using crosslinked chitosan hydrogels impregnated with Congo Red (CR) by ion‐imprint technology was systematically investigated with particular reference to the effects of contact time, pH, and initial concentration on adsorption. RESULTS: The adsorption capacity of the crosslinked chitosan without impregnation was only 68.68 mg g^?1 for Cu²⁺. However, the adsorption capacity increased from 77.42 (without imprint ion) to 84.54 mg g^?1 (imprint ion content 0.5 mmol) after the chitosan was impregnated with a ratio of 1/12 of CR to chitosan. The as‐prepared adsorbents were found to be pH‐dependent and the process of adsorption agreed well with the Freundlich isotherm. The loaded adsorbents could be regenerated and reused without the appreciable loss of capacity. CONCLUSION: Chitosan hydrogels impregnated with CR showed higher Cu²⁺ adsorption capacities compared with those prepared conventionally without imprint ion, and thus developed a good approach to increase Cu²⁺ adsorption efficiency in the treatment of waste‐water. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Photopolymerized pH‐sensitive semi‐IPN: Synthesis,water uptake analysis,and preliminary drug release study

A series of pH‐sensitive semi‐IPN hydrogels, composed of varying amounts of monomer acrylic acid(AAc), crosslinker N,N′ methylene bisacrylamide, polymer cellulose acetate (CA) were synthesized via photoinitiated polymerization in dimethyl formamide (DMF) medium. The CA/P (AAc) hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, and TG analysis. The equilibrium water uptake data was used to determine various network parameters. For all the samples synthesized, the swelling exponent “n,” initial diffusion coefficient D and average diffusion coefficient D_ave were found to be in the range of 0.51–0.72, 3.16 to 7.14 × 10^?6 cm² min^?1 and 94.16–120.56 cm² min^?1, respectively. The hydrogel demonstrated fair pH‐dependent swelling behavior, with nearly 20% swelling in the medium of pH 1.0 and 615% in the medium of pH 7.4 at 37°C, respectively. The gel showed excellent swelling–deswelling cycles which were interpreted quantitatively by first order kinetic swelling and deswelling models. Finally, the preliminary insulin release study, carried out in the media of varying pH, observed almost 16% release of entrapped drug in the simulating gastric fluid (SGF) of pH 1.0 in first 2 h and nearly 51% in next 6 h in simulating intestinal fluid(SIF) of pH 7.4 at 37°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2129–2140, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers