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Surface‐functionalization of activated carbon with polyglucosamine polymer for efficient removal of cadmium ions
Author(s) -
Berber Mohamed R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.25599
Subject(s) - adsorption , materials science , activated carbon , composite number , chemisorption , surface modification , calcination , chemical engineering , exothermic process , desorption , polymer , carbon fibers , composite material , isothermal process , chemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis , thermodynamics , engineering , physics
In this work, a polymer‐activated carbon composite was prepared by grafting polyglucosamine polymer on the surface of activated carbon, which was produced by a carbonation/calcination/oxidation process of the Date palm pits. The obtained composite was confirmed by different techniques, including, X‐ray, infrared, thermal analysis, scanning electron spectroscopy, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller protocol surface area measurements. Subsequently, a comprehensive adsorption study was performed to assess the synergetic effect of the composite structure on the adsorption behavior of Cd 2+ ions. The adsorption capacity of Cd 2+ ions reached 35.0 mg/g at optimum adsorption conditions of pH 5.5, a composite dose of 200 mg, and a contact time 120 minutes. The kinetic, isothermal, and thermodynamics results indicated chemisorption, an exothermic, and a spontaneous adsorption process. The adsorption mechanism of the composite correlated to the functional groups (NH 2 and COOH) and the cavities of the composite (surface area 699.11 m 2 /g, pore volume 0.28 cm 3 /g), which potentially contributed to the capture of the Cd 2+ ions. From the recyclability point of view, the composite was able to maintain around 89% of its initial adsorption capacity after the third adsorption‐desorption cycle.