Synthesis and characterization of amidoxime modified chitosan/bentonite composite for the adsorptive removal and recovery of uranium from seawater.

A novel amidoxime functionalized adsorbent, poly(amidoxime)-grafted-chitosan/bentonite composite [P(AO)-g-CTS/BT] was prepared by in situ intercalative polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and 3-hexenedinitrile (3-HDN) onto chitosan/bentonite composite using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as cross linking agent and potassium peroxy disulphate (K2S2O8) as free radical initiator. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), BET surface area analyser and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Nitrile groups from two monomers converted to amidoxime groups and therefore, increases the adsorption efficiency of uranium(VI) [U(VI)] from seawater. The optimum pH for U(VI) adsorption was found to be 8.0. The adsorbent dosage of 2.0 g/L was sufficient for the complete removal of U(VI) from seawater. The kinetic data fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model which assumes the presence of chemisorption. The equilibrium attained within 60 min and well agreement of equilibrium data with Langmuir adsorption model confirms monolayer coverage of U(VI) onto P(AO)-g-CTS/BT. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 49.09 mg/g. Spent adsorbent was effectively regenerated using 0.1 N HCl. Six cycles of adsorption-desorption experiments were conducted to study the practical applicability and repeated use of the adsorbent. The feasibility of the adsorbent was also tested using natural seawater. The results show that P(AO)-g-CTS/BT is a promising adsorbent for the removal of U(VI) from seawater.

Synthesis and characterization of polyacrylic acid- grafted-carboxylic graphene/titanium nanotube composite for the effective removal of enrofloxacin from aqueous solutions: Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation studies.

Polyacrylic acid-grafted-carboxylic graphene/titanium nanotube (PAA-g-CGR/TNT) composite was synthesized. It was effectively used as adsorbent as well as photocatalyst. The composite was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, Surface Area Analyzer, XPS and DRS. The photocatalytic activity of PAA-g-CGR/TNT composite was evaluated on the basis of the degradation of pollutants by using sunlight. The band gap of the prepared photocatalyst was found to be 2.6eV. The removal of the antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR) was achieved by two step mechanism based on adsorption and photodegradation. The maximum adsorption was observed at pH 5.0. The best fitted kinetic model was found to be pseudo-second-order. The maximum adsorption was observed at 30°C. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 13.40mg/g. The kinetics of photodegradation of ENR onto PAA-g-CGR/TNT composite follow first-order kinetics and optimum pH was found to be 5.0. The regeneration and reuse of the adsorbent-cum-photocatalyst were also examined upto five cycles.

Effective removal of mercury(II) ions from chlor-alkali industrial wastewater using 2-mercaptobenzamide modified itaconic acid-grafted-magnetite nanocellulose composite.

A novel adsorbent, 2-mercaptobenzamide modified itaconic acid-grafted-magnetite nanocellulose composite [P(MB-IA)-g-MNCC] was synthesized for adsorbing mercury(II) [Hg(II)] ions selectively from aqueous solutions. Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric studies were performed to characterize the adsorbent. The optimum pH for Hg(II) adsorption was found to be 8.0, and the adsorption attained equilibrium within 60 min. The kinetic data were found to follow pseudo-second-order which assumes the ion exchange followed by complexation mechanism. The temperature dependence indicates an exothermic process. The well agreement of equilibrium data with Freundlich adsorption model confirms the multilayer coverage of Hg(II) onto P(MB-IA)-g-MNCC. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 240.0 mg/g. Complete removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solution was possible with an adsorbent dosage of 2.0 g/L. Spent adsorbent was effectively degenerated with 0.1M HCl. The present investigation shows that P(MB-IA)g-MNCC is a promising adsorbent for the removal and recovery of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions.