Removal of Cd(II) from Water by HPEI Modified Humin

Abstract

Humin is the waste residue from the process of preparing humic acid, which accounts for a large proportion of the raw material (weathered coal humic acid). Its Cd(II) adsorption performance is far inferior to that of humic acid. How to regenerate humin is of great significance to the low-cost treatment of Cd(II) pollution in wastewater. In this study, humin was modified by hyperbranched polyethyleneimine to enhance the adsorption capacity for Cd(II). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the X-ray photoelectron spectrometer showed that hyperbranched polyethyleneimine was grafted to the surface of humin. Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the saturated Cd(II) adsorption capacity of the modified humin was increased to 11.975 mg/g, which is about 5 times than that of humin and is also higher than that of humic acid. The adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm, and thermodynamic properties of humic acid, humin, and modified humin were also studied. This study may provide a foundation for research utilizing natural resources to reduce heavy metal pollution in the environment.