Functionalization of pine needles by carboxymethylation and network formation for use as supports in the adsorption of Cr6+

Pine needles and their carboxymethyl forms were functionalized by network formation with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid (AAmPSA) in the presence of N,N-methylene bisacrylamide. N-Tetramethylethylene diamine and ammonium persulfate were used as accelerator-initiator systems to prepare these hydrogels. The hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM, and nitrogen analysis and for water uptake capacities before and after metal ion sorption with a view to evaluating their use in the removal of toxic ionic species from waste water. A detailed study of Cr6+ adsorption was carried out as a function of time, temperature, pH, and ionic strength. The thermodynamic parameters of adsorption such as ΔH0, ΔS0, and ΔG0 have been evaluated to understand the underlying mechanism of adsorption. In order to understand their reusability in possible technological applications, biodegradability of these hydrogels and their precursors was studied.