Microwave assisted synthesis of chitosan-graft-styrene for efficient Cr(VI) removal

Abstract

In this study, we have synthesized chitosan-grafted-styrene (Ch-g-sty) without any radical initiator or catalyst using microwave (MW) irradiation. Ch-g-sty was synthesized with 187% grafting using 80 % MW power in 40 second at (styrene) 0.13 M, (Chitosan) 0.1 g/25 mL. On the other hand, under similar condition of concentration of styrene and chitosan, 148% grafting was observed with potassium persulphate (K2S2O8)/ascorbic acid as redox initiator and atmospheric oxygen asco-catalyst in 1 h using conventional method at 35°C. Microwave synthesized Ch-g-sty copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Maximum grafting was optimized by varying the microwave power, exposure time and styrene/chitosan concentration. Ch-g-sty copolymer was found to be more efficient for Cr(VI) removal as compare to conventionally and parent chitosan in aqueous solution. Sorption of Cr(VI) was depending upon pH and concentration, with pH=3 being the optimum value. The equilibrium data followed the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum capacities of 526.3 mg/g, 312.5 mg/g and 166.7 mg/g for Ch-g-sty copolymer, conventional (thermostatic water bath) method and parent chitosan respectively. © 2010 VBRI press.