Synthesis, characterization, and performance comparison of boron using adsorbents based on N-methyl-D-glucosamine

Abstract

Using N-methyl-D-glucosamine (NMDG) as the functional monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) as the connecting monomer, functionalized Fe3O4 nano-particles (NPs) as the support, three adsorbents were prepared including direct polymer GMA-NMDG, magnetic GMA-NMDG polymer (MGN), and boron magnetic ion-imprinted polymer (BMIIP). Based upon the optimization of synthesis conditions, the prepared adsorbents and intermediate products were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller to investigate the synthesis process, the morphological structure and the functional properties of the materials. The optimum performances of GMA-NMDG, MGN and BMIIP were obtained in the initial neutral solution (pH of 6.5). Moreover, GMA-NMDG and MGN reached the maximum adsorption capacity at 120 min, whereas BMIIP reached adsorption saturation at 60 min. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was more suitable for the adsorption of boron using the adsorbents. The maximum adsorption capacity of GMA-NMDG was found to be 43.4 mg·g−1, while those of MGN and BMIIP were 32.5 and 28.3 mg·g−1, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm model was more appropriate to describe the adsorption process. The adsorbents maintained satisfactory adsorption performance within a certain temperature range. Competing ions had little effect on the adsorption of boron, and would be adsorbed simultaneously, due to which, the effect of co-adsorption can be considered. The adsorption capacity of GMA-NMDG was high, while the adsorption selectivity of BMIIP was much better. Furthermore, BMIIP showed good adsorption after five cycles of adsorption and desorption. The comparison of adsorbents showed that GMA-NMDG had the highest adsorption capacity and was suitable for co-adsorption. MGN had a high adsorption capacity, good comprehensive performance and magnetic properties. BMIIP had better adsorption rate, adsorption selectivity and recyclability. Through the optimization of synthesis conditions, the adsorption capacity of the traditional monomer NMDG polymer was increased, and the magnetism was given to facilitate rapid recovery. Combined with the ion imprinting technology, it showed higher boron adsorption selectivity in the presence of competitive ions.