Synthesis and adsorption properties of polymeric and polymer-based hybrid adsorbent for hexavalent chromium removal

Iron oxide modified polyglycidyl methacrylate graft copolymer (PGMA) hybrid adsorbent (PGMAFe), have been synthesized and characterized; and their use in Cr(VI) removal was studied. The adsorption capacities were determined at different pH values. The results showed the adsorption efficiency was highly pH dependent. Cr(VI) adsorption data were well fitted with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. The maximum Cr(VI) adsorption capacities of PGMA and PGMAFe sorbents were obtained at pH 4 as 132.5 and 162.9 mg/g, respectively. The results of the kinetic experiments showed that Cr(VI) adsorption onto both sorbents followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A series of column experiments were carried out to determine the breakthrough curves. The column was regenerated by eluting Cr(VI) with NaOH (10%, w/v) solution.

► To investigate the performance of polymer supported magnetic hybrid sorbent. ► Pseudo second order rate kinetics provided good description of the adsorption data. ► Cr(VI) adsorption on both adsorbents was adequately described by Freundlich model. ► The column was regenerated by eluting Cr(VI) with NaOH (10%, w/v) solution.