Investigation of adsorptive removal of tetracycline with sponge like, Rosa canina gall extract modified, polyacrylamide cryogels

Abstract

The removal of tetracycline from aqueous environment by new type of sorbents, Rosa canina gall extract modified polyacrylamide based cryogels, was studied in a batch system. The produced RCGEM cryogels have thin polymeric walls and interconnected large pores. The RCGEM cryogels are elastic and sponge like; its water content can easily be removed by only compressed with hand. The RCGEM cryogels restore their original shape and size within seconds after soaked in water. On the other hand, elasticity of cryogels without RCG extract modification is lower. The experimental parameters that affect the sorption of TC were optimized to achieve maximum removal yield. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms were conducted to deduce the mechanism of the process. The kinetics of TC adsorption was moderately fast and almost reached equilibrium in 40-50 min and the results followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.