New Process for the Sulfonation of Algal/PEI Biosorbent for Enhancing Sr(II) Removal from Aqueous Solutions—Application to Seawater

Abstract

Sulfonic resins are highly efficient cation exchangers widely used for metal removal from aqueous solutions. Herein, a new sulfonation process is designed for the sulfonation of algal/PEI composite (A*PEI, by reaction with 2-propylene-1-sulfonic acid and hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid). The new sulfonated functionalized sorbent (SA*PEI) is successfully tested in batch systems for strontium recovery first in synthetic solutions before investigating with multi-component solutions and final validation with seawater samples. The chemical modification of A*PEI triples the sorption capacity for Sr(II) at pH 4 with a removal rate of up to 7% and 58% for A*PEI and SA*PEI, respectively (with SD: 0.67 g L−1). FTIR shows the strong contribution of sulfonate groups for the functionalized sorbent (in addition to amine and carboxylic groups from the support). The sorption is endothermic (increase in sorption with temperature). The sulfonation improves thermal stability and slightly enhances textural properties. This may explain the fast kinetics (which are controlled by the pseudo-first-order rate equation). The sulfonated sorbent shows a remarkable preference for Sr(II) over competitor mono-, di-, and tri-valent metal cations. Sorption properties are weakly influenced by the excess of NaCl; this can explain the outstanding sorption properties in the treatment of seawater samples. In addition, the sulfonated sorbent shows excellent stability at recycling (for at least 5 cycles), with a loss in capacity of around 2.2%. These preliminary results show the remarkable efficiency of the sorbent for Sr(II) removal from complex solutions (this could open perspectives for the treatment of contaminated seawater samples).

Myco-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles using harnessing metabolites of endophytic fungal strain Aspergillus terreus: an insight into antibacterial, anti-Candida, biocompatibility, anticancer, and antioxidant activities

“…The broadness peak at 539 cm –1 is related to C-S, C = S (overlapped) [ 56 ]. The weak peak at 3155 cm –1 is related to the C–H stretching of alkene, whereas the medium peak at 2927 cm –1 corresponds to the C–H stretching of alkane [ 53 , 57 ]. On the other hand, the medium peak at 2360 cm –1 is corresponding to the C ≡ C stretching of alkyne or adsorption of CO 2 on the surface of CuO-NPs [ 58 , 59 ].…”

Ion‐imprinted thiosalicylichydrazide‐based sorbents for selective recognition of mercury(II) ions

“…The choice of thiosalicylichydrazidine as a modifying agent stems from its recognized efficacy as a chelating agent within sorbent structures. 46 Additionally, the presence of -NH 2 groups facilitates crosslinking with the dialdehyde crosslinker glyoxal, establishing a durable, crosslinked structure essential for the functionality of an ion-imprinting system. The production of PAN-P microparticles began with suspension polymerization.…”

“…Thus, the core objective of the research reported here was to develop novel microparticles, utilizing an ion‐imprinting technique, modified with thiosalicylichydrazidine and based on a poly(acrylonitrile‐ co ‐divinylbenzene) (PAN‐P) polymer. The choice of thiosalicylichydrazidine as a modifying agent stems from its recognized efficacy as a chelating agent within sorbent structures 46 . Additionally, the presence of –NH 2 groups facilitates crosslinking with the dialdehyde crosslinker glyoxal, establishing a durable, crosslinked structure essential for the functionality of an ion‐imprinting system.…”