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Abstract
A new polymer-supported hybrid adsorbent (HFO-P(TAA/HEA)) for highly efficient removal
of Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ from wastewater was developed by supporting hydrous ferric
oxide (HFO) nanoparticles onto a porous poly(trans-Aconitic acid/2-hydroxyethyl acrylate)
hydrogel (P(TAA/HEA)) with in situ precipitation method. Swelling kinetics, scanning
electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction
(XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR)
and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for characterization of the prepared
HFO-P(TAA/HEA). The characterization data demonstrated that the hybrid hydrogel HFO-P(TAA/HEA)
was successfully fabricated, and swelling ability as well as thermal stability was
promoted after loading. The results of batch equilibrium experiments indicated that
pH and temperature significantly influenced the adsorption process and adsorption
of heavy metals was better fitted to Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models. Selectivity
of HFO-P(TAA/HEA) towards heavy metals was greatly improved under the calcium ions
competition at higher concentration compared to P(TAA/HEA). Competitive adsorption
evidenced the priority order in multifold metal species system was Pb2+>Cu2+>Ni2+>Cd2+.
What's more, FTIR and XPS analyses manifested that heavy metals might mainly be adsorbed
via inner sphere complexation. These findings revealed that hydrogel HFO-P(TAA/HEA)
is a potential adsorption material to remove the heavy metals from polluted water.