Graft Copolymers of Acrylonitrile onto Dextrin for Use in Separation Technologies

Abstract

The use of polymers in enrichment and separation technologies has attracted a lot of interest in recent times. To develop low-cost and environmentally friendly technologies for the removal of metal ions from water systems, graft copolymers based on dextrin were synthesized by grafting poly(acrylonitrile) onto it. The optimum grafting conditions were evaluated for grafting by varying the nature and amount of solvent, changes in concentration of monomer and initiator, reaction time and temperature. Graft copolymers were further functionalized by partial hydrolysis, and were characterized by water uptake, FTIR, SEM and elemental analysis. Sorption of Fe²⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ ions on graft copolymers were investigated as a function of percent grafting, change in metal ion concentration, temperature and pH, to define their end-uses in separation technologies.

Keywords:

• FTIR
• graft copolymers
• sorption studies

We thank the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi, for financial assistance under DST-FIST scheme to the Post Graduate Department of Chemistry of DAV College, Jalandhar.

Notes

^aDextrin = 1 g.

Graft copolymer = 100 mg, amount of water = 20 mL, temperature = 25°C.

Graft copolymer = 100 mg, amount of water = 20 mL, temperature = 25°C.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, temperature = 25°C.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, temperature = 25°C.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, temperature = 25°C.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, temperature = 25°C.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, P_g = 209.3.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, P_g = 209.3.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, Temperature = (30°C), P_g = 209.3.

^a Solution taken = 25 mL, sample taken = 0.025 g, time = 60 min, Temperature = (30°C), P_g = 209.3.