Microwave Assisted Preparation of Thio-Functionalized Polyacrylonitrile Fiber for the Selective and Enhanced Adsorption of Mercury and Cadmium from Water

Abstract

In order to overcome the drawbacks of conventional heating for performing surface modification process, such as long synthesis time, low ef ciency, and adsorption capacity, we reported a novel approach by introducing a microwave (MW) assisted method to prepare a thio-functionalized fibrous adsorbent (PANMW-Thio) for the enhanced and selective removal of Hg2+ and Cd2+ from water in this study. The properties and morphologies of the adsorbent prepared by the MW-assisted method and conventional heating were compared through FTIR, XRD, SEM characterization, and mechanical tests, and the results revealed that the MW assisted method is a satisfactory technology to enable a higher sulfur content and reinforced mechanical property for the adsorbent. The selective adsorption experiment indicated that PANMW-Thio fibers possess higher affinity toward both Hg2+ and Cd2+ in the mixed solution with Pb2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+. The optimum pH value for the adsorption of Hg2+ and Cd2+ was found to be 7 with maximum adsorp...