Application of grafted membranes for sorption of Cd2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ ions in aqueous solution

Abstract

Sorption of Cd 2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ by blend membrane of sodium alginate (Na-Alg) and poly (acrylamide) grafted
konkoli gum (KG-g-PAAM) in aqueous solution was studied. Membrane sorption capacities for Cd2+
, Fe2+ and
Zn2+were found to be 97.85, 80.65 and 64.46% respectively. The sorption behavior with respect to contact time,
initial pH, temperature, ionic strength and initial metal ion concentration were investigated in order to
determine the optimum sorption conditions. Results showed that metal ion uptake by the membrane
decreased with increase in ionic strength and after a temperature of 40o
C while increase in initial metal ion
concentration led to increase in metal ion uptake. Maximum sorption was found to occur at pH of 6.0, 3.0 and
5.0 for Cd2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ respectively. The ability of the grafted membrane to remove some heavy metals
from aqueous solution is encouraging and may be used in bioremediation of wastewaters.