Modifying alginate beads using polycarboxyl component for enhanced metal ions removal

Abstract Designing desirable adsorbent for highly efficient removal of heavy metal ions is of practical significance, given the cost-effectiveness, environmental benign, natural abundance and easy-handling collection features. Herein, a bead-like adsorbent with high adsorption capacity was prepared by modifying alginate beads using polyacrylate with high density of carboxyl groups. The developed alginate/polyacrylate beads were collaboratively characterized by FT-IR, TGA, SEM, XPS, etc., and various adsorption conditions were tested including the pH of the solution, contact time and the initial concentration. The experimental data were fitted well by the Freundlich isotherm model, and the maximum adsorption capacity was obtained from the Langmuir model was 611.0 mg/g, and adsorption process followed the Pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption mechanisms conformed to multi-layer adsorption, and mainly dominated by chemical interactions. The bead-like adsorbent exhibited excellent reusability after eight sequential cycles and displayed higher adsorption capacity towards lead ions. This type of adsorbent might possess promising role in treating heavy metals from water by virtue of degradable, cost-effective component and high adsorption efficiency.