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  • Poly(methacrylate citric acid) with good biosafety as nanoadsorbents of heavy metal ions.

Poly(methacrylate citric acid) with good biosafety as nanoadsorbents of heavy metal ions.

Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces (2019-12-05)
Xuejie Zhang, Xiangtao Wang, Hanhong Qiu, Dandan Kong, Meihua Han, Yifei Guo
ABSTRACT

Heavy metal ion in aqueous solutions has been a challenge to human health. Discovering efficient adsorbents to remove heavy metal ion from water can help address this problem. In this study, poly(methacrylate citric acid) (PCA) with a well-defined structure based on a hydrophilic citric acid monomer was synthesized and then applied as a nanoadsorbent to remove several heavy metal ion. PCA presented excellent solubility in aqueous solution, and after freeze-drying, a loose porous structure was observed. PCA exhibited higher adsorption capacity for all the heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+) than citric acid, and had a selectivity for Pb2+ ions with a removal efficiency of >90%. PCA also showed a good selectivity for adsorption of Pb2+ in a Chinese medicine decoction, with a removal rate >50%, while the concentration of active ingredient was maintained. Cell cytotoxicity in a cell model and system toxicity in mice indicated good biosafety of PCA. These results suggested that PCA with a good biosafety could be utilized as nanoadsorbent to remove Pb2+ ion from aqueous solution and decoction.

MATERIALS
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Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Trimethyl citrate, ≥98.0%
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