Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250098

Title: Removal of paraquat pesticide from aqueous solutions using a novel adsorbent material based on polyacrylamide and methylcellulose hydrogels

Author
item AOUADA, FAUZE - Universidade Federal De Sao Carlos
item Pan, Zhongli
item Orts, William
item MATTOSO, LUIZ - Embrapa

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2009
Publication Date: 7/2/2009
Citation: Aouada, F.A., Pan, Z., Orts, W.J., Mattoso, L.H. 2009. Removal of paraquat pesticide from aqueous solutions using a novel adsorbent material based on polyacrylamide and methylcellulose hydrogels. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 114(4):2139-2148.

Interpretive Summary: This research studied the characteristics of poly(acrylamide) and methylcellulose (PAAm-MC) hydrogels as a novel adsorbent material for removal of pesticide paraquat, from aqueous solution, with potential applications in curbing environmental risk from such herbicides. The results suggest that PAAm-MC hydrogels are potentially viable absorbents for removal of paraquat pesticide from aqueous solution and cleaning water contaminated with dyes, heavy metals, and others pesticides.

Technical Abstract: This research studied the characteristics of poly(acrylamide) and methylcellulose (PAAm-MC) hydrogels as a novel adsorbent material for removal of pesticide paraquat, from aqueous solution, with potential applications in curbing environmental risk from such herbicides. PAAm-MC hydrogels with different acrylamide (AAm) and MC concentrations were prepared by a free-radical polymerization method. The capability of the hydrogels in removing paraquat dichloride from aqueous solution was determined using UV-Vis analysis. The scanning electron microscopy method was used to study the morphological properties of the hydrogels, and swelling degree (Q) of the hydrogels was also measured. The entrapped MC in PAAm chains provoked significant changes in morphological, hydrophilic, and adsorption properties of the PAAm-MC hydrogels. The adsorption capacity of hydrogels was strongly influenced by AAm, MC, and paraquat concentrations with the highest adsorption capacity (Qeq = 14.3 mg/g) was observed for hydrogels synthesized with 6.0% AAm with 0.75% MC swollen in 45.7 mg/L of paraquat solution. Freundlich model performed better than Langmuir model in describing the adsorption isotherm of PAAm-MC/paraquat system, implying a heterogeneous surface. These results suggest that PAAm-MC hydrogels are potentially viable absorbents for removal of paraquat pesticide from aqueous solution and cleaning water contaminated with dyes, heavy metals, and others pesticides.