Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites for Arsenic(III) Removal from Water

Polymer nanocomposites constituted of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) (70 %) polycaprolactone (PCL) (15 %) Fe₃O₄ (15 %)] were synthesized and applied in the removal of Arsenic(III) from contaminated water. Arsenic contamination in water is a severe problem globally because arsenic is toxic even at low concentrations. The aim of this study is to incorporate magnetite (Fe₃O₄) into a polymer blend that is to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of As(III). In this study EVA–PCL copolymers with magnetite were synthesized via the melt blending technique. The nanocomposites were characterized by the use scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and X-ray diffraction. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the ability of polymer nanocomposites to adsorb As(III) from contaminated water. A maximum sorption capacity of 2.83 mg/g at 26 ± 2 °C and pH 8.6 was obtained. Adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. The process fits well with the Langmuir isotherm. As(III) obeyed pseudo-second order kinetics. The nanocomposites investigated in this study showed good potential for As(III) removal from contaminated water. The dispersion of magnetite nanoparticles into the polymers resulted with improved surface area for better adsorption of As(III).