Dual Functional Alginate‐Polyethylene Polyamine Composite Aerogel Toward Sensing and Extracting Copper Ions in Water

Abstract

In this study, a new type of sodium alginate‐polyethylene polyamine composite aerogel (Alg‐PEMA) was synthesized to detect and remove excess copper ions (Cu2+) in water. First, a classic acylation reaction was used to graft polyethylene polyamine onto alginate, which was then gelatinized in a calcium ion solution and vacuum freeze‐dried to prepare the final Alg‐PEMA adsorbent. Experimental results showed that the as‐prepared Alg‐PEMA can remove 99.2 % of Cu2+ (0.1 mM) in water, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Cu2+ is 46.78 mg/g. Alg‐PEMA can also be used for qualitative colorimetric detection of Cu2+ in aqueous solution. The detection limit for Cu2+ is as low as 0.64 mg/L, which is lower than the WHO standard for drinking water Cu2+ content (2.0 mg/L). Its green and safe raw materials, simple desorption and regeneration process, and stable detection and adsorption performance indicate that the Alg‐PEMA adsorbent has broad application prospects in the treatment of Cu2+‐containing wastewater.

Dual-emission fluorescent nanoprobe based on Ag nanoclusters for sensitive detection of Cu(II)

“…Some studies have shown that copper ions exist in the central nervous system in the form of cerebrocuprein [9], which has a significant impact on brain development, it has also been linked to Alzheimer's and mad cow disease [10]. At present, on a global scale, the copper content in drinking water in China and Japan shall not exceed 1.0 mg l −1 , no more than 1.3 mg l −1 in the United States, and the European Union limits its content to 2.0 mg l −1 [11][12][13]. And when excessive copper accumulated in our body, copper ions will accumulate in the liver and affect DNA replication and the synthesis of many biological processes, pose a great threat to human health [14].…”