Preparation of cellulose acetate-Sn(IV) iodophosphate nanocomposite for efficient and selective removal of Hg2+ and Mn2+ ions from aqueous solution

Abstract

The expansion of new materials for efficient elimination of heavy metal ions from water, is highly required to address various ecological issues. Herein, new nanocomposites (NCs) comprising of cellulose acetate (CA) and tin-iodophosphate (Sn(IV)IP) are prepared via sol-gel technique. The varying content of CA remarkably affects the shape, crystallinity, porosity and surface area of NCs. The prepared NCs were successfully employed for the selective removal of Hg2+ and Mn2+ ions from aqueous solution. The contact time, initial metal ion concentration, pH, and the amount of adsorbent were optimized prior to adsorption studies. Owing to different structural characteristics, different NCs have shown varying adsorption capacity. The maximum adsorption capacities of NCs for Hg2+ and Mn2+ were found to be 2500 and 1666.6 mg g−1, respectively. The removal efficiency of one of the NCs with maximum content of CA (2 w/w%) towards Hg2+and Mn2+ ions from water was found to be 91 % and 98 %, respectively. The mechanism and kinetics of adsorption is established using adsorption isotherms and kinetic models. This investigation is anticipated to demonstrate a platform for the preparation of NCs employing functional polymers to prepare eco-friendly composites along with manipulation of structural and functional properties of NCs.