Synthesis, characterization and analytical application of cellulose acetate-tin (IV) molybdate nanocomposite ion exchanger: binary separation of heavy metal ions and antimicrobial activity

Abstract

A novel cellulose acetate-tin (VI) molybdate nanocomposite (CA/TMNC) exchanger was synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated the formation of particles of nanodimensions. The ion exchange capacity, pH titration, elution behavior, and distribution coefficient were also investigated. CA/TMNC showed enhanced ion exchange capacity as compared to its inorganic counterpart. The distribution coefficient (K d ) values for different toxic heavy metal ion such as Pb+2, Cd+2, Mg+2, Zn+2, Co+2, Cu+2, Mn+2, Cr+3, Ni+2, and Fe+2 has been studied in double-distilled water by batch process. On the basis of K d values, four binary separation of the metal ions have been achieved on the column of CA/TMNC. The material is found to be selective for Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions; about more than 94 % of Pb2+ and 93 % of Cd2+ ions were recovered in each separation. The antibacterial activity of CA/TMNC was explored against Escherichia coli. The results confirmed the bacteriostatic nature of the CA/TMNC.