Adsorption of hydroquinone and Pb(II) from water by β-cyclodextrin/polyethyleneimine bi-functional polymer

A novel bi-functional β-cyclodextrin polymer (CD@TCT@PEI) was synthesized for the removal of hydroquinone and Pb(II) from wastewater. The structure and adsorption performance of CD@TCT@PEI towards hydroquinone and Pb(II) were studied comprehensively. Both of the adsorption processes fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model well. The adsorption isotherms of hydroquinone and Pb(II) could be described well by Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacities of hydroquinone and Pb(II) are 364.86 and 113.52 mg g-1, respectively. The adsorption of hydroquinone and Pb(II) on CD@TCT@PEI is an exothermic and spontaneous process. The adsorbed CD@TCT@PEI could be regenerated easily, and can still maintain high adsorption performance after 5 cycles. The electrostatic interaction and coordination interaction account for the adsorption of Pb(II), and inclusion of cyclodextrin and hydrogen-bond interaction are responsible for hydroquinone adsorption. This study provides some insights to design an adsorbent that can simultaneously remove heavy metal ions and organic micropollutants from wastewater.