Gamma Irradiation Induced Preparation of Gum Arabic/ Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Copolymer Hydrogels for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater

In this study, the copolymer hydrogel was prepared by copolymerization of gum arabic (GA), Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) using gamma irradiation. The factors affecting the preparation condition of (GA/PVA) copolymer hydrogels such as copolymer composition, copolymer concentration and irradiation dose were investigated. The swelling property of the prepared hydrogels was studied and the results showed that the swelling percent increases with increasing concentration of GA in feed solution and reached an equilibrium time at 6 h. The obtained hydrogels were characterized using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the prepared hydrogels was examined by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties of copolymer hydrogel were measured by tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (Eb) and compressive test (CS). The prepared hydrogels can be used for the removal of Cu2+, Co2+, Pb2+and Cd2+ ions from industrial wastewater. The parameters influencing the metal uptake, for example, pH, time, GA content and temperature were investigated. The adsorption of metal ions by hydrogel increases as follow Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Co2+ > Cd2+. The prepared copolymer hydrogel possessed good affinity toward the adsorption of metal ions, which make them acceptable for the treatment of industrial Wastewater from such metal ions.