Characterization and Adsorption Behavior of Newly Synthesized Aminated Cellulose with Jeffamine EDR148 Towards Ni(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) Heavy Metal Ions.

Industrial wastewater containing heavy metal ions presents serious economic risk to the environment. In this study, a novel compound of aminated cellulose with jeffamine EDR148 was prepared to improve cellulose's adsorptive behavior towards metal ions. This study undertook a straightforward and efficient cellulose modification through homogeneous chlorination in N,N'-butylmethylimidazolium chloride to produce 6-deoxychlorocellulose (Cell-Cl), followed by a reaction with jeffamine EDR148 and ultimately resulting in the formation of aminated cellulose (Cell-Jef148). Structural and chemical characteristics of Cell-Cl and Cell-Jef148 were determined using different techniques. Various adsorption conditions were applied to evaluate the optimal adsorption conditions for the removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions. Cell-Jef48 revealed a greater affinity and higher adsorption efficiency of 480.3, 420.5, and 463.2 mg/g for Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions, respectively. Different kinetics and adsorption isothermal models were studied to investigate the adsorption mechanism and interactions between Cell-Jef148 and metal ions. The results fitted the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models. Corresponding to the Langmuir model, Cell-Jef148's maximum adsorption capacities were 952.38, 609.76, and 769.23 mg/g for Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions, respectively, with a high correlation coefficient, R, in the range of 0.99575-0.99855. The research results of this study support Cell-Jef148's adsorption of heavy metal ions, and the regeneration of adsorbent highlights the potential applications of cellulose-based materials in wastewater treatment.