Synthesis of F127/PAA hydrogels for removal of heavy metal ions from organic wastewater.

Organic matters in wastewater dramatically impaired the removal capability of adsorbents to heavy metal ions, thus greatly limited their applications for real systems. Here we fabricated the F127/PAA hydrogels that could effectively remove Cu2+ and Hg2+ from organic wastewater due to their anti-fouling properties against organic matters. The F127/PAA hydrogels performed high swelling ratio and mechanical stress, showing maximum adsorption capacities of Cu2+ and Hg2+ at 283.4 and 222.1 mg/g, respectively. For the BSA containing water, the removal ratio of Cu2+ and Hg2+ by F127/PAA hydrogels could reach to 94.0% and 70.2%, respectively. For the humic acid containing water, the corresponding data were 89.5% and 72.1%. Besides, five cyclic adsorption-desorptions in humic acid solution and simulated cosmetic wastewater only slightly decreased the removal efficiencies of F127/PAA hydrogels to Cu2+ and Hg2+. Our results suggested the potential application of the F127/PAA hydrogels in treatment of real organic wastewater.