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Preparation of ultrahigh‐water‐content nanofiber composite hydrogel for Cd 2+ removal
Author(s) -
Huang Xin,
Hu Jue,
Huang Jianmin,
Zhou Guiyin,
Tun Thein,
Tang Jianxin,
Liu Sihua
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.6636
Subject(s) - adsorption , nanofiber , chemical engineering , desorption , chemisorption , ion exchange , chemistry , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , materials science , ion , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , engineering
BACKGROUND The rising volumes of industrial wastewater discharge are causing an ecological crisis, which has become a challenge for humans. Herein, a novel ultrahigh‐water‐content nanofiber composite (NC) hydrogel was prepared as an efficient adsorbent for cadmium ion (Cd 2+ ). This hydrogel has a porous and loose 3D cross‐linked structure and the polymer chains are interspersed with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanofibers, which provide a supporting framework for the NC hydrogel. RESULTS The adsorption of Cd 2+ on the NC hydrogel could rapidly achieve the equilibrium and the maximum adsorption capacity ( q max ) of 76.92 mg g −1 at pH 7 and 293 K. The intraparticle diffusion was the rate‐controlling step in the adsorption process, however, the diffusion coefficient ( D ) was just 2.57 × 10 −10 m 2 s −1 at 298 K, much lower than that of activated carbon. After five adsorption–desorption cycles, the NC hydrogel still maintained a certain adsorption efficiency, obtaining a regenerability close to 95.8%. Simultaneously, results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the adsorption was mainly caused by the ion exchange between Cd 2+ and calcium ion (Ca 2+ ), and partly due to the chemisorption of Cd 2+ by hydroxyl groups. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the innovative NC hydrogel can be a potential adsorbent material for removing heavy metal ions from industrial effluent. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry