Experimental design of polymer synthesis applied to the removal of Cd2+ ions from water via adsorption

Abstract Cadmium is a highly toxic metal, and its presence can have adverse effects on both human health and aquatic ecosystems. The efficient removal of cadmium from wastewater is therefore of crucial importance, but traditional methods have proved to be inadequate. Thus, technologies for the treatment of wastewater containing cadmium, including adsorption, have been developed. The aim of this study was the preparation of a polymeric material by the grafting reaction of κ-carrageenan and its use as an adsorbent for cadmium removal. This was performed to study the removal capacity of cadmium ions in synthetic solutions, as well as the effects of pH and ions on adsorption capacity, adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and reusability. Additionally, the disinfectant potential of the solution was evaluated for the inactivation of total coliforms and E. coli in river water. The best adsorption capacity was 75.52 ± 1.325 mg g −1 , with the kinetics described by the pseudo-second order model. Maximum adsorption capacity (127.6 ± 1.833 mg g −1 ) and R L (0.0113) were determined using the Langmuir model, the Freundlich model was the one that best fits the experimental data and indicated cooperative adsorption, and the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm was used to obtain the adsorption energy and identify that it is physical. The presence of ions K + , Na + , Mg 2+ , and Ca 2+ in a concentration of 0.5% decreased the adsorption capacity, and that at pH 2.0, the adsorption capacity was drastically reduced. The study indicates that the polymer has potential as an adsorbent for removing cadmium from aqueous solutions and exhibits self-disinfecting properties.