Removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) Ions from Aqueous Media using Glycidyl Methacrylate-Grafted Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fibers Functionalized with Hydroxyl Amine

In this study, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber was treated with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) using benzoyl peroxide (Bz2O2) to start the reaction in water (GMA-g-PET). Then, hydroxylamine (HA) was chemically attached to the GMA-treated PET fiber (HA-GMA-g-PET). The results indicated that a nitrogen atom was connected to 95% of the GMA-treated PET fiber at a rate of 5.99%, with the reaction happening at a temperature of 75 °C for 75 min. Hydroxylamine (HA) was then covalently attached to the GMA-grafted PET fiber (HA-GMA-g-PET). The results showed that 95% of the GMA-grafted PET fiber had a nitrogen atom attached at a rate of 5.99%, with the reaction taking place at 75 °C for 75 min. The removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) ions from the aqueous solution by the HA-GMA-g-PET fiber was examined by the batch equilibration technique. Researchers investigated how parameters such as pH, adsorption temperature, adsorption time, and initial ion concentration affect the adsorption capacity of HA-GMA-g-PET fibers. The maximum adsorption capacities of the reactive fiber at a concentration of 300 mg/L for Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) ions at a pH value of 6 were found to be 27.76 mg/g, 63.86 mg/g, and 66.73 mg/g, respectively. It was determined that the adsorption of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) ions onto HA-GMA-g-PET fiber attained equilibrium at 90 min, 45 min, and 120 min, respectively. It was observed that at a pH value of 6, HA-GMA-g-PET fiber is more selective for Cd(II) ions in the mixtures of Cu(II)-Cd(II), Ni(II)-Cd(II), and Cu(II)-Ni(II)-Cd(II).