Construction of a novel double network polymer composite and evaluation of its highly efficient adsorption properties for copper ions

To explore more efficient heavy metal copper ions adsorbents with double network polymers, this work has presented the novel fabrication processes of the polymer composite diatomaceous earth/polydopamine-polyethyleneimine/alginate DE@PDA-PEI@SA, which was characterized by FT-IR, SEM, EDS, XPS, and was efficiently utilized for copper ions adsorption. The relevant adsorption behaviors of DE@PDA-PEI@SA for copper ions such as the effect of pH, the effect of adsorbent dosage, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm etc. have been investigated. The results reveal that the adsorption kinetics of DE@PDA-PEI@SA for copper ions at different temperatures can be modeled by the pseudo second-order rate equation, the experimental data fit well with the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating a homogeneous monolayer adsorption, and the maximum adsorption capacity of DE@PDA-PEI@SA for copper ions could reach 454.55 mg/g at 35 degrees C that is very high compared to other reported adsorbent materials. The research results indicate that DE@PDA-PEI@SA is a novel efficient adsorbent with high efficiency in wastewater treatment and water purification, which could provide a facile processing for copper adsorption.