No abstract

In this study, environmentally friendly hydrogels prepared from hydroxy propyl cellulose hydrogels blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were employed to absorb selected metal ions of Cu and Fe to find potential applications in removal of metal ion from water or in wastewater treatment. Highest adsorption capacity of hydroxy propyl cellulose hydrogels blended with PVA or PVP is shown at 0.04 % (w/v) of the metal ion solutions. Hydroxy propyl cellulose hydrogel when blended PVA has shown greater adsorption of Fe(III) ion than Cu(II) ion at higher pH. Hydroxy propyl cellulose hydrogel when blended with PVP also showed maximum adsorption capacity rather than PVA blended hydrogel.