Utilization of poly(acrylic acid)/cellulose graft copolymer for dye and heavy metal removal

Abstract

A cellulosic component was extracted from low-value palm tree wastes, empty fruit bunches, and functionalized through grafting with acrylic acid in a previous study. The as-synthesized poly(acrylic acid)/cellulose graft copolymer was applied in the current study as an adsorbent for the removal of the cationic dye methylene blue and the heavy metal lead from industrial wastewater. Factors and parameters that govern the adsorption process were studied during the experimental portion of this study. These factors included the effect of agitation duration, adsorbate medium pH, adsorbent dose, adsorbent graft yield, and initial adsorbate concentration on the efficiency of the said adsorption processes. The data obtained from the adsorption of either methylene blue or lead ions onto the graft copolymer were well fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models.