Eco-friendly cellulose-based polymer ligand for toxic metals removal from water sources

Md Lutfor Rahman and Yang, Cham Chew and Mohd Sani Sarjadi and Hazrulrizawati Abd Hamid and Shaheen M. Sarkar and Sandeep Kumar and Mahaveer D Kurkuri (2025) Eco-friendly cellulose-based polymer ligand for toxic metals removal from water sources. Separation and Purification Technology, 374. pp. 1-20. ISSN 1383-5866

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Abstract

A graft copolymerization process was carried out to anchor an acrylic monomer onto nanocellulose derived from pine wood, resulting in cellulose-graft-poly(methyl acrylate) (cellulose-graft-PMA) via a free radical mechanism. Then, the grafted polymer was treated with hydroxylamine in an alkali medium, resulting in a poly(hydroxamic acid) ligand. The efficiency of this ligand for heavy metal adsorption was systematically investigated. Several parameters, such as pH, initial metal concentration, and adsorption duration, were optimized using batch adsorption experiments, targeting multiple metal ions (Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺). The poly(hydroxamic acid) (PHA) exhibited a notable sorption property for Cu²⁺ ions, achieving the highest capacity of 351 mg/g at pH 6. Other metal ions also showed significant adsorption capacities, with values of 301 mg/g for Fe²⁺, 261 mg/g for Co²⁺, 223 mg/g for Ni²⁺, and 201 mg/g for Zn²⁺. Trace level of Fe²⁺ ions can be determined visually using the colorimetric test with PHA. The heavy metals adsorption was pursued using the pseudo first order kinetic model (R2 > 0.994), however, the second order plots showed minimum differences between the qe values and experimental qe values. The adsorption isotherm analysis closely aligned with the Freundlich model, exhibiting a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.999). These data indicate that the cellulose-based poly (hydroxamic acid) ligand possesses a heterogeneous surface, which facilitates the creation of multiple layers of adsorption. This adsorbent demonstrates exceptional efficacy in removing toxic metals from industrial wastewater, achieving up to 97 % removal efficiency and presenting a promising approach for controlling wastewater pollution.

Item Type:	Article
Keyword:	Adsorption, Polymer grafting, Poly, Hydroxamic acid, Wastewater, Heavy metals
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD1-1066 Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD201-500 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes > TD419-428 Water pollution T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP1-1185 Chemical technology > TP155-156 Chemical engineering
Department:	FACULTY > Faculty of Science and Technology
Depositing User:	SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2025 16:08
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2025 16:08
URI:	https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/44482

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