Preparation of a novel acrylic fiber-based hydrogel and its utilization for the removal of aqueous lead ion

The pollutant binding capacity of amino functional groups has been widely documented. In this study, abundant amino groups were added onto acrylic fibre via functionalization with 1,2-diaminoethane to yield acrylic fibre-based hydrogel (Ac-EDA). The Ac-EDA was further applied for the adsorptive uptake of lead ions. The successful attachment of amino groups on the fibre was verified from the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray, SEM-EDX results. The study on the effect of process variables highlighted a pH non-responsive sorption, due to the non-electrostatic interaction between the basic nitrogen atom of the amino groups and the lead ion. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of 371.26 mg/g was recorded at optimum process conditions. The adsorption modelling emphasized the predominance of internal diffusion as the rate-limiting step. This study showed the effectiveness of the Ac-EDA for the uptake of aqueous lead ions.