SYNTHESIS OF BIODEGRADABLE METAL ADSORBENT BY GRAFT POLYMERIZATION ONTO COTTON FOR THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METAL FROM INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT

Abstract

Heavy metal containing industrial effluents represent a substantial hazard to the environment and human health. Heavy metal removal from wastewater is critical for mitigating its negative consequences. In this study, two noble biodegradable adsorbents were synthesized for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water. The first absorbent poly(triethylamine methacrylate) (Cotton-g-PTEAMA) was prepared by grafting triethylamine (TEA) onto Cotton grafted poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (cotton-g-PGMA) to remove heavy metals namely Fe and Cr from industrial effluent. The successful synthesis of Cotton-g-PTEAMA was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption behaviour of Cotton-g-PTEAMA towards Fe and Cr from contaminated water were studied at different pH, times, and metal concentrations. The obtained data were fitted to different models of adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms. The adsorption rate of metals showed good fitting to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model for both Fe and Cr, and the adsorption reached equilibrium within 150 min. The isotherm studies indicated that the obtained data showed good fitting to the Freundlich model for Fe and Langmuir model for Cr. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe and Cr for cotton-g-PTEAMA were found as 12.68, and 34.72 mg g–1, respectively. The second adsorbent cotton grafted poly(ethylenediamine methacrylate) (Cotton-g-PEDAMA) for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater was developed through functionalization of ethylene diamine (EDA) onto cotton-g-PGMA . The adsorption behaviour of cotton-g-PEDAMA towards Fe and Cr from contaminated water were also studied at different pH, times, and metal concentrations. The results showed that cotton-g-PEDAMA has an outstanding adsorption capability for Fe and Cr ions from contaminated water. The adsorption rate of metals showed good fitting to the pseudo-first-order kinetic viii model for both Fe and Cr, and the adsorption reached equilibrium within 120 min. The isotherm studies indicated that the obtained data showed good fitting to the Freundlich model for Fe and Langmuir model for Cr. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe and Cr for cotton-g-PEDAMA were 44.27, and 174.4 mg g–1, respectively. Regeneration experiments indicated that the adsorbent maintained above 80% efficiency even after five adsorption/desorption cycles for both cotton-g-PTEAMA and cotton-g-PEDAMA. The adsorbent was effectively utilized to remove Fe and Cr from samples of industrial effluent. In comparison to existing treatment approaches, which frequently use non-biodegradable materials or expensive technology, the studied method shows potential as an eco-friendly option for heavy metal removal. By utilizing biodegradable materials, this study may contributes to resolve environmental problems connected with heavy metal pollution in industrial effluents. The findings may have consequences for long-term wastewater treatment practices, encouraging healthier water resources, and protecting human health.