Facile Synthesis of chitosan-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs for application in Cu(II) ions removal and for bacterial growth inhibition in aqueous solutions

Abstract

Herein in this study, chitosan-grafted-4-vinylpyridine (Cs-g-PVP) and two polymeric hybrids of Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs (I and II) with 3wt% and 5wt% f-MWCNTs, respectively were prepared, characterized and used as adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions in a batch process The obtained Cs-g-PVP was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to identify its surface functional groups, in addition thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to assess the thermal stability, the morphology and the elemental analysis of the obtained Cs-g-PVP and Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs (I and II). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) with mapping analysis was obtained for Cs-g-PVP/Cu and Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs/Cu samples that was confirming on the performance of adsorption batch process. The applicability of Langmuir adsorption isotherms was evaluated to better understand the adsorption process. Additionally, antibacterial activity of the Cs-g-PVP and the two polymeric hybrids Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs (I and II) was evaluated against three Gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus aurous, Bacillus Subtitles and Streptococcus faecalis) and three Gram –ve bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The results showed that the efficiency of Cs-g-PVP copolymer was improved after inclusion of the f-MWCNTs substrate towards adsorption of Cu(II) ions and antibacterial activity as well.