Characterization of Celluloic-Based Polymer of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth Pod (PMBP) and its Copper(II) ion Adsorption Performance

Abstract

Abstract The interest in cellulosic-based polymer materials is rapidly growing, both in industrial and basic research applications. This is based on its availability, renewability, low density, cheapness, biodegradability, and satisfactory mechanical properties. The research reports on the characterization of cellulosic-based polymers and copper (II) ion removal via Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth Pod (PMBP). Cellulose was successfully isolated from PMBP biomass via delignification and bleaching. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and deformation gravimetric analysis (DGA) were used to characterise the raw and isolated cellulose. The adsorbents were further characterized using adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamic models. The isolated cellulose has better thermal stability, crystallinity, and porosity than the raw cellulose. The removal of the matrix material (most hemicelluloses and almost all the lignin) led to an increase in the crystallinity, morphology, and maintenance of the thermal stability of the cellulosic-based polymer. The functional group elucidation showed that both raw and isolated contained cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. The kinetic investigation was fitted with a pseudo second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters affirmed that the evacuation of Cu(II)ions was plausible, unconstrained, and exothermic in nature. The adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies show that both raw and cellulosic-based polymers can serve as Cu(II) ion removers, with a preference for cellulosic-based polymers. It therefore implies that cellulosic-based polymers obtained from PMBP could be used for copper (II) ion removal in water and industrial waste.