Metal Adsorbent Prepared from Poly(Methyl Acrylate)-Grafted Cassava Starch via Gamma Irradiation

Metal adsorbent containing hydroxamic acid groups was successfully synthesized by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) onto cassava starch. The optimum conditions for grafting were studied in terms of % degree of grafting (Dg). Conversion of the ester groups present in poly(methyl acrylate)-grafted-cassava starch copolymer into hydroxamic acid was carried out by treatment with hydroxylamine (HA) in the presence of alkaline solution. The maximum percentage conversion of the ester groups of the grafted copolymer, %Dg = 191 (7.63 mmol/g of MA), into the hydroxamic groups was 70% (5.35 mmol/g of MA) at the optimum conditions: in a mixture solution of 20% HA (w/v) and methanol solution (methanol:H2O = 5:1) 300 mL, pH 13, reaction time 2 h, and 20 g of grafted copolymer. The adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, TGA, and DSC. The presence of electron donating groups in adsorbent containing hydroxamic acid groups gives the ability to form polycomplexes with metal ions. The ability of the adsorbent to adsorb various metals was investigated in order to evaluate the possibility of its use in metal adsorption. The adsorbent exhibited a remarkable % adsorption for Cd2+, Al3+, UO22+, V5+ and Pb2+ at pH 3, 4, 5, 4, and 3, respectively. The adsorbent of 191%Dg had total adsorption capacities of 2.6, 1.46, 1.36, 1.15, and 1.6 mmol/g adsorbent for Cd2+, Al3+, UO22+, V5+ and Pb2+, respectively, in the batch mode adsorption. (author)