A novel adsorbent was prepared by blending chitosan (CS) and acrylic acid (AA) while using formaldehyde as a cross linker in the form of hydrogel beads. The adsorption properties of these hydrogel beads for the removal of toxic metal ions (Pb2+ and Cd2+) from aqueous solutions were evaluated. The hydrogel beads have a 3D macro-porous structure whose -NH2 groups were considered to be the dominant binding specie for Cd and Pb ions. The equilibrium adsorption capacity (qe) of beads was significantly affected by the mass ratio of sorbent and sorbate. The percentage removal of Cd and Pb ions was observed to be enhanced with the increase in sorbate concentration. The hydrogel beads maintained good adsorption properties at adsorption-desorption equilibrium. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to elaborate the isotherms as well as isotherm constants. Adsorption isothermal data is well explained by the Freundlich model. The data of experimental kinetics is interrelated with the second-order kinetic model, which showed that the chemical sorption phenomenon is the rate limiting step. The results of intraparticle diffusion model described the adsorption process occurred on a porous substance that proved chitosan/Formaldehyde beads to be the favorable adsorbent. 

In-house fabrication of macro-porous biopolymeric hydrogel and its deployment for adsorptive remediation of lead and cadmium from water matrices.

Designing Kappa-carrageenan/guar gum/polyvinyl alcohol-based pH-responsive silane-crosslinked hydrogels for controlled release of cephradine

Development of stimuli-responsive chitosan based hydrogels with anticancer efficacy, enhanced antibacterial characteristics, and applications for controlled release of benzocaine

Sumayya

Papers

Development and characterization of chitosan and acrylic acid-based novel biodegradable polymeric films for soil conditioning