The Release of Copper, Manganese, and Iron from Complexed Acrylamide-Sodium Acrylate Hydrogels: Experimental Investigation

Abstract

Acrylamide and sodium acrylate-based hydrogels have been created using gamma radiation and chemical initiation. The gamma irradiation approach was employed in the presence of triethanolamine at 1KGy, whereas the chemical method was used in the presence of ammonium persulfate at \(30^{\circ}\)C. The ability of the complexed hydrogels to bind metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺ was examined.  Factors affecting metal ions adsorption by the gel namely, metal ion concentrations, and time of immersion were studied. The complexed gel's physical characteristics, including thermal stability, X-ray diffraction, and UV reflectance, were investigated. The hydrogel has a strong ability to adsorb metal ions in the following order: Mn²⁺> Cu²⁺> Fe²⁺, according to the scanning electron micrographs. Investigations were done into metal release from the complexed gel. The hydrogel created by gamma radiation has a higher propensity for metal adsorption than the hydrogel created via chemical initiation, according to the results.