A recyclable phosphinic acid functionalized polyacrylonitrile fiber for selective and efficient removal of Hg2+

•A novel phosphinic acid functionalized fiber adsorbent has been synthesized.•The PANAPCF shows high selectivity and efficiency for Hg2+ removal.•The PANAPCF can decrease Hg2+ concentration as low as 27 ppb.•The PANAPCF has excellent recyclability for more than 10 times.•This fiber can be used in a continuous flow process with high removal efficiency.

A novel phosphinic acid functionalized polyacrylonitrile fiber (PANAPCF) was prepared and its adsorption properties were investigated. The PANAPCF shows excellent selectivity and efficiency for Hg2+ in the presence of other common metal ions, viz. Pb2+, Cd2+, Ag+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Ca2+, Mg2+. Adsorption kinetics studies show that PANAPCF quickly captures Hg2+ and achieves equilibrium within 3 h. In addition, PANAPCF is effective over a wide range of pH values (from 3 to 11). The maximum adsorption capacity for Hg2+ as calculated by a Langmuir isotherm model was 434 mg g−1. PANAPCF could also efficiently remove Hg2+ from practical wastewater and the concentration of Hg2+ could be decreased as low as 27 ppb, which is below the maximum contamination level of 50 ppb for mercury containing wastewater in China. Furthermore, the PANAPCF can be used to remove Hg2+ from a flow process with a 99% removal efficiency even after ten cycles. Finally, XPS analysis proved that the PO/POH and -NH- functional groups play a major role in the adsorption mechanism.

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