Synthesis and characterization of Xanthan Gum Xanthates and their application for toxic metal ion removal from synthetic wastewater

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis of three grades of xanthates of natural polymeric material Xanthan gum (XG) by reacting it with Carbon disulfide (CS2) in basic medium at room temperature under inert atmosphere. The confirmation of the formation of Xanthan Gum Xanthates (XGX) has been done with the help of Ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, point of zero-charge (PZC), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) studies. DSC and XRD studies have been done to confirm the crystalline nature of the xanthates. The removal of Cu2+and Co2+ from the prepared grades was found to be 86.7%, 89.9% and 93.6% for Cu2+ and 86.1%, 88.8% and 93.1% for Co2+ respectively. Therefore, these xanthates can be employed for the eradication of such toxic metal ions from their synthetic solutions. The adsorption capacities of three grades of xanthates viz. XGX1, XGX2, and XGX3 were found to be 319.48, 303.03, and 325.73 mg/g for Cu(II) and 238.66, 246.91, and 230.41 mg/g and for Co(II) respectively, which are better than the adsorption capacities reported for various other adsorbents in literature.