(Sodium Alginate/Acrylamide) Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Networks and their Usability on Removal of Lead, Cadmium, Nickel Ions

In this study, (sodium alginate (NaAlg)/acrylamide (AAm)) interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) have been prepared at three different compositions, where the sodium alginate composition varies 1, 2, and 3% (w/v) in 50% (w/v) acrylamide solutions. These solutions have been irradiated with a 60Co‐γ source at different doses. The percent conversion was determined gravimetrically and 100% gelation was achieved at the 10.0 kGy dose. The swelling results at pH 7.0 and 9.0 indicated that (NaAlg/AAm)3IPN hydrogel, containing 3% NaAlg showed maximum % swelling in water, with swelling increasing in the order of Ni2+>Cd2+>Pb2+. Diffusion in aqueous solutions of metal ions within (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels was found to be Fickian character. Diffusion coefficients of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels in water and aqueous solutions of metal ions were calculated. The maximum weight loss temperature and half life temperature for NaAlg, PAAm, (NaAlg/AAm)IPN and (NaAlg/AAm)IPN‐metal ion systems were found from thermal analysis stud...