THIADIAZOLS-FUNCTIONALIZED HYDROGEL NETWORKS: SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS ON HEAVY METAL IONS ADSORPTION AND MECHANICAL ROBUSTNESS

Abstract

Heterocyclic impregnated cross-linked hydrogels are advanced materials of increasing importance in the industrial, environmental and medical fields, driving the development of improved hydrogel structures. This research aims to prepare hydrogels based on the polymerization of acrylic acid grafted with 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives and cross linked diallyl phthalate, and their structures were proved by using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, thermal stability was evaluated using TGA, surface structure using SEM, and crystalline properties using XRD. Swelling behaviour at two different temperatures were (25^o C and 70^o C). The solubility in various media and solvents was investigated and pClT-g-AAc-C-DAP showed best swelling activity at both temperatures and all hydrogels were insoluble. The adsorption efficiency of heavy metal ions (Fe(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Co(II)) was tested using atomic absorption spectroscope (AAS), with hydrogels demonstrating outstanding performance where dNT-g-AAc-C-DAP was better adsorbent for Ni(II) with percentage of removal 92.15%, pClT-g-AAc-C-DAP was the highest with Co(II) of 93.9%, pNT-g-AAc-C-DAP was the highest for Fe(II) of 94.4%, dNT-g-AAc-C-DAP was the highest for Cu(II) of 93.3% and pClT-g-AAc-C-DAP was the highest for Cd(II) of 94.8%. Tensile strength tests of composites composed of hydrogels with PVC showed a significant improvement in stress and strain and dNT-g-AAc-C-DAP exhibited. The results indicate the suitability of these materials for adsorption applications and enhancing mechanical properties industrially and environmentally.