New modified poly (ethylene terephthalate) (MPET)‐based adsorbent for heavy metal ions

Modified poly( ethylene terephthalate) (MPET) samples of both powder and fiber types, which contain sodium 5-sulfodimethyl isophthalate as the third comonomer component, were explored as an adsorbent for the elimination of heavy metal ions, e.g., Cr 3+ , Pb 2+ , and Cd 2+ , in wastewater. The ions were preferentially adsorbed on finer particles at a lower temperature and pH 4 and were exothermically chemisorbed onto the MPETs via an ionic interaction. It was also found that among the ions Cr 3+ is the most preferentially adsorbed, followed by Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ ions and the adsorption capability of MPETs increased considerably with the presence of phenol. The separation factor indicated that the MPET fiber wastes may possibly be reutilized as an economical adsorbent for heavy metal ions in wastewater.