Starch-g-Poly-(N, N-dimethyl acrylamide-co-acrylic acid): an efficient Cr (VI) ion binder.

Synthesis of Starch-g-(Poly N, N-dimethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) was carried out by solution polymerization technique using potassium perdisulfate (K(2)S(2)O(8)) as the initiator. The graft copolymer was characterized by measuring molecular weight, using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The synthetic graft copolymer was used for removal of hexavalent chromium ion [Cr (VI)] from its aqueous solution. Various operating variables affecting the metal sorption such as, the amount of adsorbent, solution pH, contact time, temperature and the Cr (VI) solution concentration were extensively investigated. FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to study the metal complexation. The adsorption data could be well described by the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm model which indicate a chemisorption process. Calculation of the various thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption was also done. The negative value of free energy change (ΔG°) indicates the spontaneous nature of the adsorption.