Functionalized and reusable polyethylene fibres for Au(iii) extraction from aqueous solution with high adsorption capacity and selectivity. Issue 90 (13th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pang, Li-juan; Li, Rong; Gao, Qian-hong; Hu, Jiang-tao; Xing, Zhe; Zhang, Ming-xing; Wang, Mou-hua; Wu, Guo-Zhong
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 90(2016)
• Page Start: 87221
• Page End: 87229
• Publication Date: 2016-09-13
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra14202h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Functional UHMWPE fibres, used for efficient and selective Au(iii ) adsorption from aqueous solutions, were successfully synthesized by a radiation grafting method. Abstract : A new chelating polyethylene fibre was synthesised by the radiation-induced graft copolymerisation of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres and subsequent ring-opening reaction with 4-amino-1, 2, 4-triazole. The chemical structure and surface morphology of the modified fibres were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adsorption behaviour of the fibrous sorbent for Au(iii ) was investigated in terms of aqueous-solution pH, contact time, initial metal concentration and competition of coexisting metal ions. Resultant fibres exhibited much higher affinity and selectivity for Au 3+ ions than all other metal ions (Mg 2+, Fe 3+, Cu 2+, Ca 2+, Ni 2+ and Cr 6+ ). The affinity coefficient obtained was as high as 97.5–99.9%. The maximum adsorption amount for Au 3+ was 429.4 mg g −1 . The adsorption of Au(iii ) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics model controlled by chemical adsorption. The equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir isotherm model well. In particular, this fibrous adsorbent can be regenerated by treatment in 0.5 M thiourea and 0.5 M H2 SO4 solution. The high adsorption capacity can be maintained after at least five adsorption–desorption cycles.