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Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites for Arsenic(III) Removal from Water

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Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites constituted of [ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) (70 %) polycaprolactone (PCL) (15 %) Fe3O4 (15 %)] were synthesized and applied in the removal of Arsenic(III) from contaminated water. Arsenic contamination in water is a severe problem globally because arsenic is toxic even at low concentrations. The aim of this study is to incorporate magnetite (Fe3O4) into a polymer blend that is to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of As(III). In this study EVA–PCL copolymers with magnetite were synthesized via the melt blending technique. The nanocomposites were characterized by the use scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis and X-ray diffraction. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the ability of polymer nanocomposites to adsorb As(III) from contaminated water. A maximum sorption capacity of 2.83 mg/g at 26 ± 2 °C and pH 8.6 was obtained. Adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. The process fits well with the Langmuir isotherm. As(III) obeyed pseudo-second order kinetics. The nanocomposites investigated in this study showed good potential for As(III) removal from contaminated water. The dispersion of magnetite nanoparticles into the polymers resulted with improved surface area for better adsorption of As(III).

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the financial support of the Centre for Nanomaterial Science at the Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg. Authors also thank to Dr. S.G.M.K. Moeno for language editing of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa

    Ephraim Vunain, A. K. Mishra & R. W. Krause

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  1. Ephraim Vunain
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  2. A. K. Mishra
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  3. R. W. Krause
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Correspondence to A. K. Mishra.

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Vunain, E., Mishra, A.K. & Krause, R.W. Fabrication, Characterization and Application of Polymer Nanocomposites for Arsenic(III) Removal from Water. J Inorg Organomet Polym 23, 293–305 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-012-9775-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10904-012-9775-8

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