Baimenov, AlzhanBerillo, DmitriyAzat, SeitkhanNurgozhin, TalgatInglezakis, Vassilis J.2021-07-152021-07-152020-10-19Baimenov, A., Berillo, D., Azat, S., Nurgozhin, T., & Inglezakis, V. (2020). Removal of Cd2+ from Water by Use of Super-Macroporous Cryogels and Comparison to Commercial Adsorbents. Polymers, 12(10), 2405. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym121024052073-4360https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/10/2405https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102405http://nur.nu.edu.kz/handle/123456789/5587In this study amphoteric cryogels were synthesized by the use of free-radical co-polymerization of acrylate-based precursors (methacrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propansulfonic acid) with allylamine at different ratios. The physico-chemical characteristics of the cryogels were examined using SEM/EDX, FT-IR, XPS and zeta potential measurements. The cryogels were tested toward Cd2+ removal from aqueous solutions at various pH and initial concentrations. Equilibrium studies revealed a maximum sorption capacity in the range of 132–249 mg/g. Leaching experiments indicated the stability of Cd2+ in the cryogel structure. Based on kinetics, equilibrium and characterization results, possible removal mechanisms are proposed, indicating a combination of ion exchange and complexation of Cd2+ with the cryogels’ surface functional groups. The cryogels were compared to commercially available adsorbents (zeolite Y and cation exchange resin) for the removal of Cd2+ from various water matrices (ultrapure water, tap water and river water) and the results showed that, under the experimental conditions used, the cryogels can be more effective adsorbents.enAttribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United Statescryogelsadsorptionion-exchangecomplexationcadmiumwater treatmentType of access: Open AccessArticle