Self-Peristaltic Gel-Microspheres Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Polyacrylic Acid Prepared via Inverse Suspension for Recovery Rare Earth Ions from Aqueous Solution

In this study, cross-linked microspheres formed by interpenetrating networks of carboxymethyl cellulose and polyacrylic acid were prepared via inverse-suspension polymerization. The resultant has high adsorption capacity for rare earth ions, can reach 313 mg/g for Ce3+ under the condition of pH 6 at normal temperature. Unique self-creep characteristic gives it a fast-speed adsorption performance, which makes it to reach adsorption equilibrium within 70 min. It also has good reuse performance; its adsorption capacity decrease rate is only 21% after six adsorption–desorption cycles. Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic studies and adsorption isothermal analysis were researched as well. The research conclusion suggested that this adsorbent is a promising adsorbent for recovering the rare earth ions from wastewater containing rare earth. And all related experiments show that ISP method is effective for making spherical macromolecular adsorbents via water-soluble monomers.