Functionalized PET Waste Based Low-Cost Adsorbents for Adsorptive Removal of Cu(II) Ions from Aqueous Media

Oana Ionela Ungureanu,Anca Mihaela Mocanu,Dumitru Bulgariu,Laura Bulgariu

doi:10.3390/w12092624

Abstract

The widespread use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the packaging industry has led to the discharge of huge amounts of such waste into the environment and is an important source of pollution. Moreover, because the degradation of PET waste requires a very long time (over 180 years), the recycling of this waste is the only solution to reduce environmental pollution in this case. The solution proposed in this study, is the transformation of PET waste into granular adsorbent materials by functionalization with different phenolic compounds (phenol, p-chlor-phenol, and hydroxyquinone), and then their use as adsorbent materials for removing metal ions (ex. Cu(II) ions) from aqueous solutions. The functionalization of PET waste was done with different amounts (2–8 g) of each phenolic compound. The adsorption capacity of obtained materials was tested at different initial Cu(II) ions concentrations, in batch systems, at room temperature (20 ± 1 °C). The experimental results have shown that the adsorbent material obtained by the functionalization of PET waste with 8 g of phenol has the best adsorptive performances (q = 12.80 mg g−1) at low initial concentrations of Cu(II) ions, while the adsorbent material obtained by the functionalization of PET waste with 2 g of hydroxyquinone is more efficient in removal of high concentrations of Cu(II) ions (q = 61.73 mg g−1). The experimental isotherms were modeled using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, to highlight the adsorptive performances of these new adsorbents and their potential applicability in environmental decontamination processes.

Highlights

The removal of metal ions from industrial effluents is a major concern worldwide
In evaluating the adsorption performance of Polyethylene terephtalate (PET) waste functionalized with phenolic compounds for the removal of Cu(II) ions from an aqueous solution, three parameters were taken into account: (i) the nature of the phenolic compound, (ii) the amount of phenolic compound used for functionalization of PET waste, and (iii) the initial
The analysis of the obtained experimental results has shown, and the obtained materials were tested for that the the functionalization of waste with phenol and hydroxyquinone leads to obtaining adsorbent removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution

Summary

Introduction

The removal of metal ions from industrial effluents is a major concern worldwide. Due to their high toxic potential, their tendency to accumulate and their persistence, metal ions are considered persistent pollutants and their concentration in wastewater must be carefully controlled [1,2]. [5,6] These multiple uses of PET are the consequence of its high chemical and thermal stability over a long period of time and low manufacturing costs of this polymer [5,7]. The use of PET for the manufacture of food packaging and beverage containers has led to the discharge of huge amounts of PET waste into the environment, causing its pollution. This is why in modern society, PET waste is considered one of the biggest pollutants, in terms of environmental protection. As the degradation of PET waste requires a very long period of time (over 180 years) [8], environmental pollution with this waste can be considered permanent

Methods

Results

Conclusion