Abstract:In this study, we aimed to identify the effect of agar proportion on the synthesized superabsorbent properties based on PVP (Polyvinyl pyrrolidone), poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and agar. In a first stage, the study of swelling and deswelling behavior of synthesized hydrogel was done. It was proved that agar acts as a crosslinking inhibitor since it competes with free radicals. The pH versus swelling time was studied. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis and X-ray Diffraction. The removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by the prepared PVP/PEG/agar hydrogel was studied. Also, the influences of pH and contact time were investigated throughout adsorption experiments. The maximum retention capacity was found to be 36.5 mg g -1 for the hydrogel containing 1% of agar. The kinetic parameters were calculated from the experimental data and it was shown that they fit well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
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