Synthesis and characterization of a novel microcrystalline cellulose-based polymeric bio-sorbent and its adsorption performance for Zn(II)

Abstract The adsorption of heavy metal ion Zn(II) from industrial wastewater by performing environmentally benign methods is particularly important. In this study, a novel microcrystalline cellulose-based polymeric bio-sorbent (MCC- g -polyIL), which contained specific poly(ionic liquid) structure and adsorption performance for Zn(II), was in situ ARGET ATRP-synthesized within ionic liquid microemulsions. The ionic liquid microemulsions were characterized by phase formation capacity and dynamic light scattering results, and the prepared MCC- g -polyILs were characterized by FTIR, 1 HNMR, and TG/DSC analyses. The optimization of the adsorption process indicates that both the molar ratio of double ionic liquids and the dosage of the adsorbent affected the adsorption capacity of MCC- g -polyILs toward Zn(II). The research on adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms further reveals that the adsorption process follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. The designed MCC- g -polyILs exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity, which indicates promising practical applications for the removal of Zn(II) from industrial wastewater. Graphic abstract