Adsorption properties of amine modified lignin-hydrogel composite for uranyl ions: Theoretical and experimental insights

A new modified material was synthesized and characterized as ethylene diamine modified (EA) Polyacrylamide (PAA)-Lignin (L). The adsorption features of EA modified PAA-L were studied for uranyl ions. The characterization experiments were evaluated by FT-IR spectroscopic techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and PZC analysis. Adsorption of UO₂²⁺ ions as a function of concentration, pH, temperature, and time of adsorption were studied. The adsorption phenomenon of UO₂²⁺ ions onto PAA-L-EA from aqueous medium was successfully evaluated by various equilibrium models such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR). The (Qe) maximum adsorption capacity values for Langmuir model was calculated as 0.792 kg mol^?1 by using experimental data. The constant values of thermodynamic parameters such as (ΔG°), (ΔH°) and (ΔS°) were calculated and it has observed that the mechanism of adsorption was found compatible with endothermic and spontaneous owing to increasing disorderliness at solution/solid system. The adsorption mechanism is compatible with Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The power of the interaction between modified lignin and uranyl ?on was explained in the light of Hard and Soft Acid-Base Principle.     

Laterite clay-based geopolymer as a potential adsorbent for the heavy metals removal from aqueous solutions

This study is focused on the investigation of low iron lateritic clay-based geopolymer as a potential adsorbent for the higher uptake of Ni(II) and Co(II) ions from aqueous solutions. BET analysis revealed that the sieved geopolymer sample (SGS) was characterized by 17.441 m²/g of surface area, 0.005 cm³/g of pore volume, and 13.549 Å of pore diameter. SEM investigation confirmed the presence of pores and cavities onto the surface of SGS. XRD analysis showed that the geopolymer is semi-crystalline in nature. It was found that the adsorption ability of SGS remained 520 mg/g for Ni(II) ions and 500 mg/g for Co(II) ions when 0.5 M solutions were stirred with SGS for 60 min. The temperature and pH of the solution were maintained at 60 °C and 7.0, respectively. The adsorption data of both heavy metal (HM) ions fitted best in the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The low activation energy value i.e. 2.507 kJ/mol for Ni(II) ions and 2.286 kJ/mol for Co(II) ions confirmed adsorption is physisorption. Adsorption data were tested with Langmuir and Freundlich models, the data showed comparatively better fitting in the Freundlich model. The greater value of monolayer adsorption capacity (Xm) for Ni(II) ions was found 1.77 × 10⁻² mol/g while for Co(II) ions it remained 1.69 × 10⁻² mol/g confirming the better interaction of metal ions with the adsorbent surface. Negative values of ΔG° confirmed the spontaneity of the process while the positive value of ΔS° showed the randomness of adsorbate particles. The positive value of ΔH° showed that the adsorption process remained endothermic for both HM ions. The experimental results confirmed the ability of laterite clay-based geopolymer for better removal of HM ions and hence can be employed for the wastewater treatment processes at low-cost adsorbent.     

Removal of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions using nanoporous ZnO prepared with microwave-assisted combustion synthesis

The adsorption of the uranyl ions from aqueous solutions on the nanoporous ZnO powders has been investigated under different experimental conditions. The adsorption of uranyl on nanoporous ZnO powders were examined as a function of the contact times, pH of the solution, concentration of uranium(VI) and temperature. The ability of this material to remove U(VI) from aqueous solution was followed by a series of Langmuir and Freunlinch adsorption isotherms. The adsorption percent and distribution coefficient for nanoporous ZnO powders were 98.65 % ± 1.05 and 7,304 mL g^?1, respectively. The optimum conditions were found as at pH 5.0, contact time 1 h, at 1/5 Zn²⁺/urea ratio, 50 ppm U(VI) concentration and 303 K. The monomolecular adsorption capacity of nanoporous ZnO powders for U(VI) was found to be 1,111 mg g^?1 at 303 K. Using the thermodynamic equilibrium constants obtained at different temperatures, various thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°, have been calculated. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° = 28.1 kJ mol ^?1, ΔS° = 160.30 J mol^?1 K^?1, ΔG° = ?48.54 kJ mol^?1) showed the endothermic and spontaneous of the process. The results suggested that nanoporous ZnO powders was suitable as sorbent material for recovery and adsorption of U(VI) ions from aqueous solutions.     

Polyvinyl alcohol fibers with functional phosphonic acid group: synthesis and adsorption of uranyl (VI) ions in aqueous solutions

PVA functionalized with vinylphosphonic acid was prepared as a new adsorbent for uranyl (VI) adsorption from aqueous solutions. The vinylphosphonic acid was cografted onto PVA fibers by preirradiation grafting technique. The adsorbent were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorbent was observed to possess a fibrous structure and was bonded with phosphonic acid groups successfully. The adsorbent was used for the adsorption of low levels uranyl (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The influence of analytical parameters including pH, adsorption time, amount of adsorbent, metal ion concentration, and temperature were investigated on the recovery of uranyl (VI) ion in aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity (32.1 mg g^?1) and fast equilibrium time (30 min) were achieved at pH of 4.5 at room temperature. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° = 2.695 kJ mol^?1; ΔS° = 31.15 J mol^?1 K^?1; ΔG° = ?6.748 kJ mol^?1) show the adsorption of an exothermic process and spontaneous nature, respectively. The possible coordination mechanism was illustrated. Adsorption and desorption coexist in aqueous solutions and then the system becomes equilibrium.     

Evaluation of Acacia nilotica as a non conventional low cost biosorbent for the elimination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions

In the present study a biomass derived from the leaves of Acacia nilotica was used as an adsorbent material for the removal of cadmium and lead from aqueous solution. The effect of various operating variables, viz., adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and temperature on the removal of cadmium and lead has been studied. Maximum adsorption of cadmium and lead arises at a concentration of 2 g/50 ml and 3 g/50 ml and at a pH value of 5 and 4, respectively. The sorption data favored the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) models were applied to describe the biosorption isotherm of the metal ions by A. nilotica biomass. Based on regression coefficient, the equilibrium data found were fitted well to the Langmuir equilibrium model than other models. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°) and entropy change (ΔS°) have been calculated, respectively revealed the spontaneous, endothermic and feasible nature of adsorption process. The activation energy of the biosorption (Ea) was estimated as 9.34 kJ mol⁻¹ for Pb and 3.47 kJ mol⁻¹ for Cd from Arrhenius plot at different temperatures.     

Efficiency of Acacia Gummifera powder as biosorbent for simultaneous decontamination of water polluted with metals

Biosorbent materials represent an interesting alternative to classic methods of metal removal from industrial effluents. Acacia biomass showed a higher absorption capacity for heavy metals than living biomass. This study aimed to evaluate the bioadsorption of Lead and Cadmium onto Acacia Gummifera gum, using batch experiment. The structural characterization of the biosorbent was carried out using FT-IR, SEM, BET, TGA and DSC analysis. The adsorption equilibrium was reached within 15 min. A maximum uptake of 18.3 mg.g⁻¹ Pb²⁺ and 9.57 mg.g⁻¹ Cd²⁺ was achieved at pH 6.5. The metal ions seemed to be removed exclusively by ion exchange, physical sorption and chelation. The biomass of A. Gummifera powder was found to be effective for lead and cadmium removal with respectively 97% and 86% sorption efficiency at a concentration of 100 mg/L, in aqueous media. Parameters affecting adsorption capacities such as biosorbent dosage, initial metal concentration, temperature, and pH are discussed in detail. Furthermore, adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics, and equilibrium were studied and fitted by different models. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were used to compare adsorption data at equilibrium. The adsorption kinetics data were found to be best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model, and the adsorption isotherm was well fitted with the Langmuir model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG⁰, ΔS⁰ and ΔH⁰) indicated a spontaneous and exothermic biosorption of both metal ions onto Acacia Gummifera. Moreover, chromatograms obtained by size exclusion chromatography coupled with multi-angle laser light scattering detection system (SECMALLS) showed the formation of complexes between the arabinogalactan-peptide (AGP) and glycoprotein (GP) Acacia moieties and the two studied metal ions. The analysis of the FTIR spectra of dried Acacia and that of Acacia loaded with lead and cadmium in aqueous media suggests that the surface functional groups such as amides and carboxy groups might be involved in the metal removal process.The extent of adsorption for both metals increased along with an increase of the A. Gummifera biomass dosage. A. Gummifera biomass, which is safe, of low-cost, and highly selective, seems therefore to be a promising substrate for simultaneous trapping of Pd and Cd ions in aqueous solutions.     

Biosorption of Ni(II) from electroplating wastewater by modified (Eriobotrya japonica) loquat bark

Biosorption of nickel ions from aqueous solutions by modified loquat bark waste (MLB) has been investigated in a batch biosorption process. The biosorbent MLB was characterized by FTIR analysis. The extent of biosorption of Ni(II) ions was found to be dependent on solution pH, initial nickel ions concentration, biosorbent dose, contact time, and temperature. The experimental equilibrium biosorption data were analyzed by three widely used two-parameters Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich isotherm models. Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models provided a better fit with the experimental data than Freundlich isotherm model by high correlation coefficients R². The maximum adsorption capacity was 27.548 mg/g of Ni(II) ions onto MLB. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that the biosorption behavior of nickel ions onto MLB biosorbent was an endothermic process, resulting in higher biosorption capacities at higher temperatures. The negative values of ΔG° (−5.84 kJ/mol) and positive values of ΔH° (13.33 kJ/mol) revealed that the biosorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Kinetic studies showed that pseudo-second order described well the biosorption experimental data. The modified loquat bark (MLB) was successfully used for the biosorption of nickel ions from synthetic and industrial electroplating effluents.     

Adsorption calorimetry

The efficiency of activated carbons prepared from corncob, to remove asphaltenes from toluene modeled solutions, has been studied in this work. The activating agent effect over carbonaceous solid preparation , and also temperature effect on the asphaltenes adsorption on the prepared activated carbons, was studied. The asphaltene adsorption isotherms were determined, and the experimental data were analyzed applying the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Toth and Radke–Prausnitz and Sips models. Redlich–Peterson model described the asphaltenes isotherm on the activated carbons better. The asphaltenes adsorption capacities at 25° for activated carbons were: 1305 mg g^?1, 1654 mg g^?1 and 559.1 mg g^?1 for GACKOH, GACKP and GACH₃PO₄, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° were also evaluated from the adsorption isotherms in asphaltene solutions from toluene solutions, and it was found that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Kinetic parameters, reaction rate constant and equilibrium adsorption capacities were evaluated and correlated for each kinetic model. The results show that asphaltene adsorption is described by pseudo-second-order kinetics, suggesting that the adsorption process is chemisorption. The adsorption calorimetry was used to analyze the type of interaction between the asphaltenes and the activated carbons prepared in this work, and their values were compared with the enthalpic values obtained from the Clausius–Clapeyron equation.

     

Preparation and characterization of novel organic chelating resin and its application in recovery of Zn(II) from aqueous solutions

An organic polymeric resin was synthesized by anchoring p ‐aminobenzoic acid onto macroporous chloromethylated polystyrene beads, and was used for Zn(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The resin exhibited an initially rapid adsorption property for Zn(II) with equilibrium time of 10 h and the maximum adsorption capability approached 184.5 mg g⁻¹. Optimum pH was 4.5. The mechanism of adsorption was investigated using kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic models. The adsorption kinetic data were described well by a pseudo second‐order model with R ² of 0.997. There was a negative ΔG (−17.98 kJ mol⁻¹) and positive ΔH (13.58 kJ mol⁻¹). HCl solution (1.0 mol l⁻¹) could achieve an elution rate of 100%. The experimental data were well fitted by the Thomas model with R ² of 0.9826. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The preparation of PZS-OH/CNT composite and its adsorption of U(VI) in aqueous solutions

In this paper, polycyclotriphosphazene coated carbon nanotubes (PZS-OH/CNT) composite material has been synthesized via a facial method. The prepared PZS-OH/CNT was characterized by FTIR, BET, zeta potential and SEM. The material was investigated as an adsorbent for the adsorption towards U(VI) from aqueous solutions. Several parameters like solution pH, contact time and temperature were used to evaluate the sorption efficiency. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity of uranium on PZS-OH/CNT was improved from 41.48 mg g⁻¹ for CNT to 338.98 mg g⁻¹ due to the presence of functional groups on PZS-OH/CNT. The U(VI) sorption on PZS-OH/CNT was well fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second kinetics models. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) showed the U(VI) adsorption on CNT and PZS-OH/CNT was endothermic and spontaneous in nature.

     

Uranium extraction from aqueous solution using dried and pyrolyzed tea and coffee wastes

The adsorption of U(VI) onto dried and pyrolyzed tea and coffee wastes was investigated. The adsorption properties of the materials were characterized by measuring uranium uptake as a function of solution pH, kinetics and adsorption isotherms. pH profile of uranium adsorption where UO₂ ²⁺ is expected to be the predominant species was measured between pH 0 and 4. Both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used to describe adsorption equilibria, and corresponding constants evaluated. Using the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of uranium by dried tea and coffee wastes was 59.5 and 34.8 mg/g, respectively at 291 K. Adsorption thermodynamic constants, ΔH° ΔS° and ΔG° were also calculated from adsorption data obtained at three different temperatures. Adsorption thermodynamics of uranyl ions on dried tea and coffee systems indicated spontaneous and endothermic processes. Additionally, a Lagergren pseudo-second-order kinetic model was used to fit the kinetic experimental data for both adsorbents and the constants evaluated. Dried tea and coffee wastes proved to be effective adsorbents with high capacities and significant advantage of a very low cost.     

Preparation of mesoporous alumina electro-generated by electrocoagulation in NaCl electrolyte and application in fluoride removal with consistent regenerations

The fluoride adsorption by Electro-Generated Adsorbents (EGA) was briefly and recently shown. In this paper, the preparation of a particular EGA and its characteristics are presented. For the first time, the fluoride adsorption of one EGA was deeply investigated showing that the regeneration of this material leads to an efficient process which was better than an electrocoagulation one. The investigated adsorbent called EGA_NaCl was prepared by electrolysis in NaCl electrolyte with aluminum electrodes and was characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), FTIR and BET studies. The physical analyses showed that EGA_NaCl was a mesoporous mixture of AlOOH and three Al(OH)₃ which contain the chlorine element and registered the surface area of 114.31 m² g⁻¹. The presence of chlorine explains the pH increase observed during the electrolysis. The fluoride adsorption as a function of pH, initial fluoride concentration, EGA_NaCl dose, temperature, co-ions and cycles of regeneration was studied using batch methods. Among the kinetic models, the pseudo – second – order model was superior to others and among the adsorption isotherms, Langmuir model fits well as compared to that of Freundlich model based on the regression coefficient values. Determination of thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH and ΔG respectively revealed the nature of endothermic and temperature – driven nature of the fluoride sorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity of EGA_NaCl was found to be 16.33 mg g⁻¹ at 27 °C and a maximum fluoride removal occurred at pH 6.55. The spent adsorbent showed the defluoridation efficiency of 95.53% up to fifth regeneration with diluted NaOH. Factorial design matrix and analysis of variance using JMP model have also been extensively discussed in this paper.     

Removal of ammonium ion from aqueous solutions using natural zeolite: kinetic,equilibrium and thermodynamic studies

The aim of the present study is to investigate the removal of ammonium ions from aqueous solutions using the natural Western Azerbaijan zeolite by utilizing ion exchange process. Batch experimental studies were conducted to evaluate by changing relevant parameters such as pH, dosage of adsorbent, stirring time, initial ammonium concentration, and temperature. The results clearly confirmed that all mentioned parameters have vital affects on removing ammonium ions from wastewater and effluents, so got optimized. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium data for the removal of ammonium ion were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The Langmuir model fits the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich model. According to the Langmuir equation, the maximum uptake for ammonium ion was 43.47 (mg g^?1). Pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were used to represent the kinetics of the process. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order reaction. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) indicate that the adsorption process is feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic at 20–50 °C. Based on the experimental results, it can be suggested that the natural Western Azerbaijan zeolite has the potential of application as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of ammonium ions from aqueous solutions, and is suggested for wastewater treatment purposes.     

Removal of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) ions from aqueous solutions by functionalized silica: kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Adsorption behavior of uranyl and thorium ions from synthetic radioactive solutions onto functionalized silica as sorbent has been investigated. The effect of contact time, initial concentration of radioactive solutions, sorbent mass, pH value and temperature on the adsorption capacity of the sorbent was investigated. Negative values of Gibbs free energy of adsorption suggested the spontaneity of the adsorption process on both functionalized silica with –NH₂ groups and with –SH groups. Positive values obtained for ΔH° indicates that the adsorption is an endothermic process. The adsorption isotherms were better fitted by Freundlich model and the adsorption kinetic was well described by the pseudo-second order equation. Desorption studies indicated that the most favorable desorptive reagents for UO₂ ²⁺ is HNO₃ 1 M and for Th⁴⁺ is EDTA 1 M solutions.     

A study of the factors affecting the adsorption of cobalt ions onto Pakistani coal powder from solutions

Large deposits of coal are abundantly available in Pakistan. An attempt has been made to check its efficacy for the cobalt ions from aqueous solutions in order to exploit the locally available naturally occurring cheaper material for the decontamination/removal of metal ions from nuclear and industrial effluents. The adsorption behavior of cobalt ions on coal powder has been studied as a function of various physicochemical parameters i.e., stirring speed, shaking time, pH, concentration of cobalt ions, temperature, etc. Conditions for the uptake of cobalt ions were established. Adsorption dynamics models such as intra-particle diffusion model, pseudo-first order kinetic model (Lagergren’s equation) and pseudo-second order kinetic model were applied to the adsorption data to elucidate the adsorption process and its mechanism. Results reveal that the adsorption mechanism is predominantly diffusion and both intra-particle and boundary layer diffusion seem significant in the rate controlling step. The adsorption process is best accounted for using pseudo second order kinetic model and the overall rate of adsorption process appears to be controlled by more than one step, namely the external mass transfer and intra-particle diffusion mechanism. The existence of two slopes in the Freundlich plot also confirms the surface diffusion and intra-particle diffusion modes of adsorption. The Langmuir isotherm equation was obeyed well in the whole range of cobalt ions concentration with high value of correlation coefficient (r ²  = 0.999). The adsorption energy (E _a) calculated from D–R isotherm was 6.756 kJ/mol indicating physical nature of adsorption. The adsorption of cobalt ions increased with the increase of temperature and thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were calculated. Results suggested that the cobalt ions adsorption on coal powder is endothermic (ΔH 33.90 kJ/mol) and spontaneous (negative ΔG values) process. The adsorption of other metal ions on coal powder was studied at optimized condition for cobalt ions to check its selectivity. Consequently, cobalt ions can be removed from Zr, Ru Eu, Er, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ce, U, and Th ions, where as Cs, Cr and Sr ions reduces the adsorption of cobalt ions by co-adsorption and their reducing affect is in the order of Sr > Cr > Cs.     

Lead separation by sorption onto powdered marble waste

Batch adsorption experiments were carried out, aiming to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions and water samples using powdered marble wastes (PMW) as an effective inorganic sorbent, which is cheap, widespread, and may represent an environmental problem. The main parameters (i.e., solution pH, sorbent and lead concentration, shaking time, and temperature) influencing the sorption process, were investigated. The results obtained showed that the sorption of Pb²⁺ ions onto PMW was fitted well with the linear Freundlich and Langmuir models over the concentration range studied. From the Dubinin–Radushkevick (D–R) isotherm model it was found that the adsorption was chemical in nature. Thermodynamic parameters viz. the change in Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) were also calculated. These parameters indicated that the adsorption process of Pb²⁺ ions on PMW was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Under the optimum experimental conditions employed, the removal of about 100% of Pb²⁺ ions was attained. The procedure was successfully applied to remove lead ions from aqueous and different natural water samples. Moreover, the adsorption mechanism is suggested.     

Study of physical chemistry on biosorption of zinc by using Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Discharge of heavy metals from metal processing industries is known to have adverse effects on the environment. Biosorption of heavy metals by metabolically inactive biomass of microbial organisms is an innovative and alternative technology for removal of these pollutants from aqueous solution. Presence of heavy metals in the aquatic system is posing serious problems. Zinc has been used in many industries and removal of Zn ions from waste water is significant. Biosorption is one of the economic methods used for removal of heavy metals. In the present study, the biomass obtained from the dried Chlorella pyrenoidosa was used for evaluating the biosorption characteristics of Zn ions in aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were performed with this material and it was found that the amount of metal ions adsorbed increased with the increase in the initial metal ion concentration. In this study effect of agitation time, initial metal ion concentration, temperature, pH and biomass dosage were studied. Maximum metal uptake (q _max) observed at pH 5 was 101.11 mg/g. The biosorption followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption equilibrium was reached in about 1 h. The kinetic of biosorption followed the second-border rate. The biomass could be regenerated using 0.1 M HNO₃. A positive value of ΔH° indicated the endothermic nature of the process. A negative value of the free energy (ΔG°) indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. A positive value of ΔS° showed increased randomness at solid-liquid interface during the adsorption of heavy metals, it also suggests some structural changes in the adsorbate and the adsorbent. FTIR Spectrums of Chlorella pyrenoidosa revealed the presence of hydroxyl, amino, carboxylic and carbonyl groups. The scanning electron micrograph clearly revealed the surface texture and morphology of the biosorbent.     

Al-centered functionalized inorganic–organic hybrid sorbent containing N and S donor atoms for effective removal of cadmium

A new aluminium-incorporated layered inorganic–organic hybrid material (Al-GPTS-TU) has been successfully synthesized by using sol–gel based precursor under mild temperature condition and silylaing agent (GPTS-TU) derived from the reaction of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) and thiourea (TU). The hybrid material was characterized by using various instrumentation techniques and the result confirmed the attachment of organic functionality to the inorganic silicon network. The inter-lamellar distance for the hybrid material was found to be 41.33 Å. The synthesized hybrid was used for the removal of cadmium from dilute aqueous solution with variation of solution parameters. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH and ΔS, evaluated for the adsorption of cadmium from water solution, were found to be 73.68 kJ mol^?1 and 282.9 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively, indicating adsorption process to be endothermic in nature. The negative value of ΔG indicated the feasibility and spontaneity of ongoing adsorption process. The hybrid material containing multiple coordination sites such as S and N in the attached organic functionality can find potential applications for the removal of various metal toxicants from water bodies to prevent the eco-system.     

Adsorption of Uranyl Ions into Poly(Acrylamide‐co‐Acrylic Acid) Hydrogels Prepared by Gamma Irradiation

Acrylamide (AAm)/Acrylic Acid (AAc) copolymers have been prepared by gamma irradiation of binary mixtures at three different compositions where the acrylamide/acrylic acid mole ratios varied around 15, 20, and 30%. Threshold dose for 100% conversion of monomers into hydrogels was found to be 8.0 kGy. Poly(Acrylamide‐co‐Acrylic Acid) (poly(AAm‐co‐AAc)) hydrogels have been considered for the removal of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions. Swelling behavior of these hydrogels was determined in distilled water at different pH values and in aqueous solutions of uranyl ions. The results of swelling tests at pH 8.0 indicated that poly(AAm‐co‐AAc) hydrogel, containing 15% acrylamide showed maximum % swelling. Diffusion of water and aqueous solutions of uranyl ion into hydrogels was found to be non‐Fickian in character and their diffusion coefficients were calculated. The effect of pH, composition of hydrogel, and concentration of uranyl ions on the adsorption process were studied at room temperature. It was found that one gram of dry poly(AAm‐co‐AAc) hydrogel adsorbed 70–320 mg and 70–400 mg uranyl ions from aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate and uranyl acetate in the initial concentration range of 50–1500 mg UO₂ ²⁺L^?, depending on the amount of AAc in the hydrogels, respectively. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for poly(AAm‐co‐AAc)–uranyl ion system indicating an S type of adsorption in the Giles classification system. It is concluded that crosslinked poly(AAm‐co‐AAc) hydrogels can be successfully used for the removal of uranyl ions from their aqueous solutions.     

Thermodynamics of the Cu(II) adsorption on thin vanillin-modified chitosan membranes

In this work, low-density vanillin-modified thin chitosan membranes were synthesized and characterized. The membranes were utilized as adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. The experimental data obtained in batch experiments at different temperatures were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms to obtain the characteristic parameters of each model. The adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model (average R² > 0.99). Interactions thermodynamic parameters (Δ_intH, Δ_intG, and Δ_intS), as well as the interaction thermal effects (Q_int) were determined from T = (298 to 333) K. The thermodynamic parameters, the Dubinin–Radushkevick equation and the comparative values of Δ_intH for some Cu(II)–adsorbent interactions suggested that the adsorption of Cu(II) ions to vanillin-chitosan membranes show average results for both the diffusional (endothermic) and chemical bonding (exothermic) processes in relation to the temperature range studied.