The efficiency of cationic-based hydrogels in heavy metal removal from wastewater

The present study draws attention to arsenic (V) (As(V)), chromium (III) (Cr(III)), and chromium (VI) (Cr(VI)) heavy metal pollutants, which have negative effects on aquatic ecosystems and indirectly pose a serious threat to the health of living things in the environment. Homopolymer and copolymer hydrogels were synthesized by the UV polymerization technique using 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propansulfonic acid sodium salt (AMPS) and 3-acrlylamidopropil-trimethyl ammonium chloride monomers, and a crosslinker aimed to improve the swelling properties and metal sorption of the prepared hydrogels. The swelling balance values of hydrogels were determined by the gravimetric method in deionized water and different pH values, and their structural characterizations were carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Sorption efficiencies and sorption capacities of the synthesized hydrogels were determined using aqueous solutions containing As(V), Cr(III), and Cr(VI) heavy metal ions at 25 °C. It was determined that there was a significant increase in p(AMPS) (AM1)-based hydrogel's balance swelling value in deionized water compared to p(AP1) and p(AMPS-co-APTMACl) (AMAP1)-based hydrogels. The lowest equilibrium swelling value was reached in the AMAP1 hydrogel, and the main reason for this result was thought to be due to the closure of the active functional groups of the increased cross-links between AMPS and APTMACl monomer. When sorption results were examined, it was observed that the highest heavy metal ion removal for AM1, AP1, and AMAP1 was in As(V) metal. The highest metal ion holding capacity of AM1, AP1, and AMAP1 was found to be 494 mg/g, 2336 mg/g, and 1439 mg/g for As(V), 323 mg/g, 111 mg/g, and 276 mg/g for Cr(III), and 303 mg/g, 723 mg/g, and 554 mg/g for Cr(VI), respectively. Considering the swelling and sorption results, it is thought that the synthesized hydrogels will provide a significant advantage in the removal of heavy metal ions, which have negative effects on environmental pollution and live health.

Keyword: copolymeric hydrogel; heavy metal; homopolymeric; sorption kinetics; sorption mechanism