Synthesis and Properties of Tannic Acid-Based Hydrogels

Hydrogels were synthesized by using tannic acid (TA) as a chemical cross-linker for the copolymer of allylglycidyl ether and acrylamide. The swelling ratio of the hydrogels increased with increasing amount of TA and decreased with increasing amounts of allylglycidyl ether. The hydrogels exhibited pH sensitivity; the swelling ratio increased with pH. Adsorption experiments of the hydrogel for Cu (II) ions suggested that the hydrogels can be used as an adsorbent for removal of Cu (II) heavy metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions.