EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND pH ON THE ABSORPTION OF METHYLCELLULOSE HYDROGEL

Abstract

The results presented in this work is the synthesis of methylcellulose (MC) gel using 0.0025 M glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent and 0.01 M HCl as catalyst of the synthesis reaction. Subsequently, the MC hydrogel was evaluated at three temperatures (30, 40 and 50°C) and five pH values (2, 4, 7, 11 and 13), to determine the maximum absorption capacity and determine the pH and temperature. ideal of MC hydrogel. Hydrogel presented good absorption capacity at each temperature and pH evaluated and the results were favorable at 40°C and pH 4, presenting a maximum swelling of 890%. Therefore, the MC hydrogel can be used for the removal of heavy metals, especially lead (Pb) and copper (Cu). The atomic absorption analyzes showed a retention of 92% and 90% for Pb and Cu respectively.