Fabrication of starch-salicylaldehyde based polymer nanocomposite (PNC) for the removal of pollutants from contaminated water.

In the present study, we have fabricated magnetic nanocomposite based on the starch and salicylaldehyde resin embedded with magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (SS@Fe3O4). The fabricated nanocomposite was characterized using various analytical methods including XRD, SEM, FTIR, TGA, TEM, BET and XPS. As-fabricated nanocomposite was used for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution. The adsorption results revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 265.4 and 247.2 mg/g for Pb(II) and Cd(II) respectively at pH 6 and room temperature. The adsorption kinetic results support that the adsorption of both the toxic metals was carried out via second order reaction and the rate constants were found to be 6.31 × 10-5 and 7.18 × 10-5 g·mg-1·min-1 for Pb(II) and Cd(II) respectively. The adsorption isotherm displays the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and supports the monolayer and mainly chemisorption with poor physisorption. Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters were evaluated and the adsorption came true in exothermically and spontaneously with both Pb(II) and Cd(II). As-fabricated starch based magnetic nanocomposite displays excellent adsorption as well as outstanding reusability. Therefore, these outcomes support that the SS@Fe3O4 nanocomposite can be used as a promising adsorbent for industrial application.