Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(Ethyleneimine)-Modified Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Grafted Nanocellulose/Nanobentonite Superabsorbent Hydrogel for the Selective Recovery of β-Casein From Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

A novel adsorbent, poly(ethyleneimine)-modified poly(acrylic acid)-grafted nanocellulose/nanobentonite superabsorbent hydrogel (PEI-PAA-g-NC/NB) was prepared by free radical graft copolymerization technique and well characterized. Swelling behavior of adsorbent was studied under different pH and temperatures. The various adsorption parameters for the adsorption of the protein, β-Casein (βCN) onto the PEI-PAA-g-NC/NB were investigated. Sips adsorption isotherm and pseudo-first-order kinetic model were best suited for the present adsorbent. The adsorption-desorption experiments were conducted with 0.1 M NaSCN for four cycles. The results of the present investigation proved that PEI-PAA-g-NC/NB is highly effective for the separation of βCN from aqueous solutions.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• β-casein
• adsorption
• desorption
• nanobentonite
• nanocellulose

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, for providing laboratory facilities.