Abstract
In this work, we synthesized chitosan grafted-polyacrylic acid (CS-g-PA) through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). We also studied the adsorption process of copper and lead ions onto the CS-g-PA surface. Adsorption equilibrium studies indicated that pH 4.0 was the best pH for the adsorption process and the maximum adsorption capacity over CS-g-PA for Pb2+ ions was 98 mg·g−1 and for Cu2+ it was 164 mg·g−1, while for chitosan alone (CS), the Pb2+ adsorption capacity was only 14.8 mg·g−1 and for Cu2+ it was 140 mg·g−1. Furthermore, the adsorption studies indicated that Langmuir model describes all the experimental data and besides, pseudo-second-order model was suitable to describe kinetic results for the adsorption process, demonstrating a larger kinetic constant of the process was larger for Pb2+ than Cu2+. Compared to other adsorbents reported, CS-g-PA had comparable or even superior adsorbent capacity and besides, all these results suggest that the new CS-g-PA polymers had potential as an adsorbent for hazardous and toxic metal ions produced by different industries.
Highlights
High content of metals in water is dangerous to human health; currently, environmental research is directed to develop efficient methods for metal removal without causing additional subsequent contamination problems and besides, an important environmental concern [1]
The surfaceinitiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) modification of chitosan particles was previously published by our group, but it is briefly discussed here
We studied the implementation of chitosan grafted-polyacrylic acid as an absorbent to remove lead and copper from water
Summary
High content of metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, arsenic, etc.) in water is dangerous to human health; currently, environmental research is directed to develop efficient methods for metal removal without causing additional subsequent contamination problems and besides, an important environmental concern [1]. Copper is a metal used in electrical, electronics and metal materials, due to its high electrical conductivity, ductility and malleability It is necessary for some biological processes (i.e., myelin formation of hemoglobin and excessive blood clotting prevention acting as a coenzyme of the immune system and regulating the production of melanin [5]), high concentrations of this element in the human body can affect health, causing headaches, vomiting, liver, blood, vessels and kidney damage; exposure to copper for a long time can irritate the nose, mouth, eyes and respiratory system; the permitted level given by the WHO for Cu (II) into drinking water is 1.3 mg/L [6,7].
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