New sorbent hydrogels for removal of acidic dyes and metal ions from aqueous solutions

Poly(N-hydroxymethylacrylamide), PHMA, hydrogels were prepared by using N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, HMA, monomer and polyethyleneglycol(400)diacrylate as a crosslinking agent in aqueous medium and then amine groups were incorporated onto PHMA hydrogels by amination reaction with different diamines. The obtained hydrogels were characterized by determination of amine value, hydroxymethyl group content and FTIR spectra. The amine value of hydrogels changed from 2.23 to 4.64 mmol/g by depending on the amine compounds used in amination reaction. Their swelling degree increased at acidic pH values and they showed pH dependent swelling behaviour. They were used as sorbent for removal of indigo carmine and Cu(II) ion, as a model dye molecule and metal ion, respectively, from aqueous solutions. The adsorption properties of the hydrogels were investigated by depending on pH, time and initial indigo carmine or Cu(II) ion concentration. It was seen that the amine group incorporated hydrogels have quite high adsorption rate and adsorption capacity, and their adsorption capacities changed with pH of the solution. Langmuir isotherm model was the best fit for adsorption of both indigo carmine and Cu (II) ion.