Synthesis of magnetic crosslinked starch-graft-poly(acrylamide)-co-sodium xanthate and its application in removing heavy metal ions

This paper describes the synthesis and characterisation of a magnetic crosslinked starch-graft-poly(acrylamide)-co-sodium xanthate (M-CSAX) nanocomposite based on magnetic starch (MCS), acrylamide (AM) and sodium xanthate that underwent heavy metal ions removal in response to an external magnetic field. The material was prepared using magnetic particle Fe3O4 nanoflakes (NFs) together with vinylated starch and poly(acrylamide)-co-sodium xanthate via an ultrasound-assisted radical crosslinking/polymerisation reaction. MCS was synthesised by a direct compounding method using Fe3O4 NFs as nuclear and vinylated starch as shell. The obtained M-CSAX has a saturation magnetisation value of 19.21 emu·g−1. Flocculation experiment results showed that the composites have functions of removing both turbidity and heavy metal ions from aqueous solution, and can adsorb 78.3% of Pb2+ and 63% of Cu2+ from the corresponding salt solutions. The findings of the present work highlight the potential for using M-CSAX as an effective and recyclable adsorbent for wastewater treatment.