Preparation of novel spherical PVA/ATP composites with macroreticular structure and their adsorption behavior for methylene blue and lead in aqueous solution

A novel spherical composite of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and attapulgite (ATP) with macroreticular structure, i.e. MR-PVA/ATP composites, was prepared as an adsorbent for some contaminations from aqueous environment, which would hold the advantages of PVA and ATP in the same time. The resulting adsorbents hold uniform and rich aperture with good mass transfer property, processing properties and stability. It has been proved with easy separation and excellent adsorption for methylene blue and lead in aqueous solution, and the adsorption rate will be accelerated when increasing porogen in its preparation. The adsorption process of methylene blue and lead on it includes both chemo-adsorption and physical adsorption. The adsorption process all fits the pseudo second order kinetics very well with rapid initial adsorption rate. The addition of attapulgite increased the adsorption capacity of lead ions significantly. By further graft functional groups on the ATP, it has potential to prepare various adsorbents to satisfy specific requirements. Such kind of adsorption material will perform a wide application prospect in the purification treatment for wastewater.

► A novel spherical PVA/ATP nano-composite material with macroreticular structure was prepared firstly.
► Different from the major studies of ATP focusing on graft modification, it holds the advantages of PVA and ATP in the same time.
► By introducing macro-reticular structure, it shows good mass transfer performance.
► The resulting adsorbent has been proved with easy separation and excellent adsorption for methylene blue and lead in aqueous solution.
► With simultaneously adsorbing dyes and heavy metal, it could reduce the energy consumption and cost both in preparation and application.