Abstract
Shorea sawdust grafted with poly(acrylic acid) (SD-g-PAA) is synthesized and characterized as an adsorbent of toxic organic compounds. SD-g-PAA copolymers are prepared using Fenton’s reagent (Fe+2–H2O2) as the redox initiator. The graft copolymerization is examined to determine the effects of temperature, concentrations of and H2O2(aq), and AA/SD ratio. The obtained maximum grafting percentage of the grafted copolymer is 13.0 ± 0.2%. The grafted copolymer is characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid-state 13C NMR. A representative SD-g-PAA copolymer is neutralized to a sodium salt (SD-g-PANa) and used in the adsorption of malachite green (MG), methyl violet (MV), and paraquat (PQ). The monolayer adsorption capacities of these substances are 233.7, 312.9, and 164.8 mg/g adsorbent, respectively. The high adsorption capacity of SD-g-PANa for toxic matter indicates its potential in the treatment of wastewater that contains MG, MV, or PQ.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Comlet Chem. Ind. Co. Ltd for supplying the raw materials.