Abstract

In this presented work, Alkali Blue 6B-attached poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanopolymers (nano-PHEMA-AB) were synthesized as an adsorbent for the removal of the heavy metal Cr(III) from leather wastewater. For this purpose, first PHEMA nanopolymers were prepared by surfactant free emulsion polymerization. Alkali Blue 6B was then covalently attached to the PHEMA nanopolymers. Characterization of the nano-PHEMA-ABs was carried out by elemental analysis, SEM, FT-IR and Zeta Size analysis. The specific surface area of nano-PHEMA-AB was calculated to be 1131.2m2/g. The optimum adsorption conditions (i.e. adsorption capacity, medium pH, adsorption rate) were studied and reusability of nano-PHEMA-AB was also determined. The maximum Cr(III) adsorption capacity of nano-PHEMA-AB was found to be 4755.9mg/g at pH3.8. Additionally synthesized nano-PHEMA-AB were used for the removal of Cr(III) ions from chrome tanning wastewater and Cr(III) removal capacity of the nanopolymer was found to be 2724.2mg/g at pH3.9. According to the results, dye incorporated PHEMA nanopolymers can be used as an effective, re-usable remover of Cr(III) from leather wastewater due to their large surface area and high adsorption capacity.