Aminated glycidyl methacrylates as a support media for goethite nanoparticle enabled hybrid sorbents for arsenic removal: From copolymer synthesis to full-scale system modeling

Abstract

To achieve short mass transfer zones that enable arsenic removal under high hydraulic loading rates and short empty bed contact times neededfor small point-of-use packed bed applications, hybrid media was developed and tested. Cross-linked macroporous glycidyl methacrylatecopolymer support media was synthetized, amino modified and in-situ impregnated by goethite nanoparticles via an oxidative deposition in ahydrophilic/hydrophobic (water/xylene) system. The media properties were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energydispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and surface area analysis. Arsenic removal capabilities of the hybrid goethiteimpregnated media were evaluated by conducting batch sorption tests, developing isotherms and simulating the breakthrough curve with a poresurface diffusion model (PSDM), after being verified by a short bed column (SBC) test. The high porous media (ep 0.7) contained ~16% of iron and exhibited Freundlich adsorption capacity parameter of K 369 (µg g-1)(L µg-1) 1/n and Freundlich intensity parameter of 1/n 0.54. Without engaging in taxing pilot scale testing, the PSDM was able to provide a good prediction of the media’s capacity and intraparticle mass transport properties under high hydraulic loading rates.