Characterization of modified Alternanthera philoxeroides by diethylenetriamine and its application in the adsorption of copper(II) ions in aqueous solution

By a simple and convenient method of using epichlorohydrin as linkages, a novel Alternanthera philoxeroides (AP) derivative modified with diethylenetriamine (DAP) was synthesized, which can remove copper(II) ions (Cu(II)) in the water environment efficiently. The adsorption capacity of DAP for Cu(II) under various factors was measured using ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The adsorption capacity and removal ratio were 19.33 mg/g and 95.57% at pH 5.5 and 298 K. The kinetic and equilibrium study shows that pseudo-second-order kinetic (R² = 0.9964) and Langmuir isotherm models (R² > 0.982) could properly describe DAP adsorption behaviors, and thermodynamic parameters indicate a spontaneous endothermic process (ΔG = − 3.6636 kJ/mol). The combined results of SEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS analyses reveal that the dominant contribution for enhancement in Cu(II) adsorption is made by the formation of an amino group. And the adsorption mechanism is mainly the complexation reaction. The adsorption efficiency of DAP remained above 72.06% after 6 cycles of adsorption-desorption, which indicated that DAP has good regenerability and stability. All the results suggest that DAP could serve as promising adsorbents for Cu(II) pollution minimization.