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Semi-interpenetrating networks of biopolymer chitosan/acrylic acid and thiourea hydrogels: synthesis, characterization and their potential for removal of cadmium

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Abstract

The present manuscript deals with the synthesis of novel chitosan-based semi-interpenetrating networks (semi-CIPNs) and explores their potential for removal of Cd2+ ions from solution. Microwave radiation-induced polymerization was carried out using biopolymer chitosan (CS) and acrylic acid (AA) monomer, in the presence of initiator (K2S2O8) and cross-linker thiourea (CH4N2S). The effect of polymerization variables such as the amount of solvent, concentrations of initiator, monomer and cross-linker and the reaction time were optimized as a function of percentage grafting (Pg). Under optimized conditions, the liquid uptake potential of the synthesized semi-CIPN was studied in terms of percentage swelling (Ps). The semi-CIPN showed the maximum percentage grafting (3845%) and percentage swelling (311%) under the optimized conditions. The physico-chemical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA/DTG/DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) provided the evidence for formation of semi-CIPN from chitosan. Semi-CIPN was found to be an efficient device for facile sequestering of Cd2+ ions on the basis of batch experimental studies as 98.1% efficiency was observed for removal of Cd2+ from 100 mg/L solution. Reusability of polymeric material was evaluated for its sorption performance in consecutive adsorption and desorption cycle and it was observed that the regeneration efficiency decreases slowly up to eighth adsorption/desorption cycles, thereafter, it decreases significantly in the 9th and 10th cycles and 40% efficiency has been observed after 12th cycle. Regeneration of the synthesized semi-CIPN explores the reusability and economic feasibility of biopolymer material.

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Acknowledgements

This research project could not have been accomplished without the support of Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal. We are pleased to acknowledge the facilities provided by National Institute of Technology Jalandhar and Panjab University, Chandigarh.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal, Sangrur, Punjab, 148106, India

    Navneet Kaur Bhullar & Kamlesh Kumari

  2. Department of Chemistry, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal, Sangrur, Punjab, 148106, India

    Dhiraj Sud

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  1. Navneet Kaur Bhullar
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  2. Kamlesh Kumari
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  3. Dhiraj Sud
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Correspondence to Navneet Kaur Bhullar.

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This project is self-financed and the authors have no potential conflict of interest.

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Bhullar, N.K., Kumari, K. & Sud, D. Semi-interpenetrating networks of biopolymer chitosan/acrylic acid and thiourea hydrogels: synthesis, characterization and their potential for removal of cadmium. Iran Polym J 28, 225–236 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-019-00693-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-019-00693-8

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