Sodium humate-functionalised superabsorbent hydrogels for heavy metals and organic dyes remediation in aqueous systems

Citation

Rapaiee, Hikmat Hidayat Muhammad and Julaihi, Dzureen and Nordin, Mohamad Izzat Arif and Liew, Fui Kiew and Sim, Siong Fong and Chiam, Chel Ken and Than, Leslie Thian Lung and Lin, Chin Yik and Tajuddin, Nazrizawati Ahmad and Lam, Su Shiung and Wang, Lin Chi and Tan, Cindy Soo Yun (2025) Sodium humate-functionalised superabsorbent hydrogels for heavy metals and organic dyes remediation in aqueous systems. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 181 (undefined). art. no. 115326. undefined-undefined. ISSN 1387-7003

Abstract

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels have emerged as robust and adaptable platform for wastewater and environmental remediations. Their interconnected architectures provide high mechanical stability, tunable surface chemistry and porosity, making them ideal for simultaneous removal of diverse contaminants in complex aqueous systems. Conventional hydrogels often suffer from low adsorption performance of dissolved pollutants due to structural fragility, limited crosslinking, leading to poor exposure of active sites. Herein, superabsorbent IPN hydrogels were fabricated using covalently-crosslinked poly (acrylic acid) grafted with sodium humate (PAA-HA), poly(acrylamide-co-1-vinylimidazole) (P(AAm-co-VIm)) and physically-crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Altering polymer composition allows facile control over surface area, thermal properties and water permeability of IPNs, all of which significantly affect their adsorption effectiveness. IPN1 (PVA/PAA-HA) proved to be more effective for Pb(II) separation with adsorption capacity of 93.12 mg g−1, whilst higher affinity for MB with adsorption capacity of 96.30 mg g−1 of IPN2 (PVA/PAA-HA/P(AAm-co-VIm)) indicates its potential for the dye removal. Simultaneous adsorption capacities of Pb(II), Cu(II) and MB by IPN1 in the ternary environment, with cumulative adsorption capacity of 107.03 mg g−1, surpassing the IPN1's adsorption capacities of single pollutant, further highlighting its high versatility in complex environment with multiple contaminants. The Pb(II) and Cu(II) adsorption mechanisms adopt the Langmuir isotherm via chemisorption. The IPNs are not only thermally stable with high adsorption capacities, but can be easily regenerated and reused. The superabsorbent IPNs are viable candidates for simultaneous removal of heavy metals and dyes, offering a significant step forward in sustainable wastewater treatment.

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Additional Metadata

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
DOI Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2025.115326
Publisher:	Elsevier B.V.
Keywords:	Adsorption; Dye; Heavy metals; Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN); Sodium humate; Superabsorbent hydrogels
Depositing User:	Ms. Che Wa Zakaria
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2025 06:31
Last Modified:	30 Oct 2025 06:31
Altmetrics:	http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.1016/j.inoche.2025.115326
URI:	http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/120522
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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