Removal of arsenic(III) from aqueous media using amine functionalized-grafted styrene/maleic anhydride low-density polyethylene films

This study demonstrates the development of effective modified films for As(III) removal from aqueous solution. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were grafted by c (Sty/MAn) co-monomer using gamma irradiation. The grafted films were functionalized by six amine groups including semicarbazide, L-aspartic acid, 2-aminopyridine, thiosemicarbazide, hydroxylamine-HCl, and thiourea. The grafting was verified using FTIR that shows MAn carbonyl groups at 1860 and 1785 cm−1. The semicarbazide and L-aspartic acid functionalized films showed 100% and 75% removal efficiency, respectively, following the conditions of pH 7, 50 µg/mL As(III), 50 min contact time, and room temperature. The As(III) loaded chelating films treated with semicarbazide and L-aspartic acid were regenerated by contacting the films with 0.2 mol/L HCl solution for 90 min. The results show 100% release of the adsorbed As(III). The FTIR analysis of the regenerated films showed no change in the characteristic peaks, indicating the stability of film functionality in 0.2 mol/L HCl for 90 min. Additionally, the removal of As(III) using the regenerated films treated with semicarbazide or L-aspartic showed unaffected removal percentage up to eight adsorption-desorption regeneration cycles.