Preparation of acrylic acid-modified chitin improved by an experimental design and its application in absorbing toxic organic compounds.

Chitin grafted poly (acrylic acid) (chi-g-PAA) is synthesized and characterized as an adsorbent of toxic organic compounds. Chi-g-PAA copolymers are prepared using of ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate (Ce(4+)) as the initiator. The highest grafting percentage of AA in chitin obtained using the traditional technique is 163.1%. A maximum grafting percentage of 230.6% is obtained using central composite design (CCD). Experimental results are consistent with theoretical calculations. The grafted copolymer is characterized by Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy and solid state (13)C NMR. A representative chi-g-AA copolymer is hydrolyzed to a type of sodium salt (chi-g-PANa) and used in the adsorption of malachite green (MG), methyl violet (MV), and paraquat (PQ) in aqueous. The monolayer adsorption capacities of these substances are 285.7, 357.1, and 322.6 mg/g-adsorbent, respectively. Thermodynamic calculations show that the adsorption of MG, MV, and PQ are more favored at diluted solutions. The high adsorption capacity of chi-g-PANa for toxic matter indicates its potential in the treatment of wastewater and emergency treatment of PQ-poisoned patients.