Novel composite based on cellulose nanomaterial for detection and selective removal of cadmium (II) ions from wastewater

Abstract

In this study, we made a sustainable composite material from wheat straw agriculture waste. This material is environmentally friendly and has unique surface properties. We used it as a substrate because of its network and ability for surface modifications. To make this material, we embedded 2-(2-(di(thiophen-2-yl)methylene)hydrazineyl)-4-methylphenol (TMHM) chromophoric ligand on its surface. This enabled preconcentration, spectrophotometric determination, and removing of Cd2+ ions from real wastewater effluent samples. The resulting CNF-TMHM composite material displays exceptional sensitivity towards Cd2+ ions in aqueous solutions, accomplishing a remarkable detection limit as low as 4.17 ppb. Thus, sensitivity permits efficient naked-eye detection. Significantly, the CNF-TMHM composite material has a rapid and clear color change, shifting from pale yellow to wine red color, within less than two minutes when exposed to variable concentrations of Cd2+ ions. Furthermore, this developed CNF-TMHM composite material reveals remarkable effectiveness for Cd2+ ions detection and removal from wastewater samples. These dual potential addresses the serious environmental interests related to the pollution of water and achieving the sustainability development goals related to clean water.