The removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions by temperature-sensitive hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide and itaconic acid

This study deals with the potential use of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-itaconic acid) temperature-sensitive hydrogels as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. For this aim, the adsorption properties of hydrogels were examined by adsorption capacities, adsorption isotherm, and adsorption kinetics experiments. To describe the adsorption characteristics of hydrogels, the obtained experimental data were evaluated by Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. Adsorption kinetics experiments were carried out not only in single systems but also in binary systems where both ions were at equal initial concentrations for competitive adsorption studies. To predict the behaviors of the competitive and non-competitive adsorption process of ions onto hydrogels, the experimental adsorption data were analyzed by the pseudo-first-order model and the pseudo-second-order model. According to non-competitive ion removal findings, the adsorption capacities followed order Cu(II) > Pb(II) for all hydrogels, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model explained the adsorption properties of the hydrogels. Competitive ion removal studies showed that all hydrogels were selective to Cu(II) ion. Furthermore, in the case of comparative investigations both of competitive Cu(II) and competitive Pb(II) removal by hydrogels, the metal ion removal capacity of N10 hydrogel was found as a bit higher than that of N7.5 and N5 in 48 h. That is, as the acidic group content increased in the hydrogel network, the adsorption capacity values also increased. In addition, the reusability of temperature-sensitive hydrogels seems possible without regeneration or after regenerating with acid, in case the temperature is increased above the LCST. Furthermore, even if it cannot be reused, these hydrogels that retain metal ions reach very small volumes by shrinking when the LSCT is exceeded, and thus they can be eliminated more easily than other conventional gels due to their small size. As a result, this temperature-sensitive hydrogel may propose as an alternative environmentally friendly adsorbent candidate for can be used for water purification and wastewater treatment.