Efficient removal of Cd(II) and methyl orange from aqueous solution using 3D porous polyurethane foams incorporated with polyethyleneimine and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Abstract

The heavy metals and organic substances has deterioration of the ecosystem, resulting in serious environmental pollutions, thus urgent solutions need to be developed in treating these waste water problems. Functional compounds modified 3D polyurethane foams, with high surface to volume ratio has paid much attentions due to their high efficiency of absorption capability. In this study, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was used to incorporated into polyurethane foam (PUF) loaded with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC), resulting in a cross-linked, 3D interconnective porous polyurethane foam (PCPUF). The results of adsorption experiments demonstrated that PCPUF exhibited a strong adsorption capacity for both MO and Cd2+, with corresponding maximum adsorption capacity of 415.198 mg/g (at 328 K, pH 7) and 166.48 mg/g (at 343 K, pH 7), respectively. Furthermore, the results of cyclic adsorption experiments showed that the removal rates of MO and Cd2+ after five cycles are 90 % and 85 %, respectively, indicating that PCPUF has a good recyclability. Therefore, 3D porous polyurethane foams show promise as an effective adsorbent for removing metal ions and organic substances.