Use of valine amino acid functionalized α-MnO2/chitosan bionanocomposites as potential Sorbents for the Removal of lead (II) ions from the aqueous solution,

Abstract

In this work, α manganese dioxide nanorods (α-MnO₂) have been successfully functionalized with valine amino acid by a solvothermal method. The α-MnO₂-valine was characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The amount of valine grafted onto α-MnO₂ was found to be 39 wt % by TGA. The α-MnO₂-valine nanorods were used as filler for preparation of chitosan bionanocomposites (BNCs). The results showed that with increasing the α-MnO₂-valine content, the thermal stability of BNCs was increased. The chitosan/α-MnO₂-valine BNC was used as adsorbent for the efficient removal of lead ions. Our results indicate that the BNC has good prospects for application as an adsorbent in wastewater processing.