Synthesis and characterization of magnetic amidoximated chitosan-g poly(polyacrylonitrile)/laponite RD nanocomposites with enhanced adsorption capacity for Cu2+

Magnetic amidoximated nanocomposites based on a combination of chitosan and magnetic laponite RD were prepared and examined for the removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions. Magnetic laponite RD was prepared by an in situ method. In order to prepare magnetic amidoximated nanocomposites, acrylonitrile was grafted to chitosan in the presence of magnetic laponite RD. Then the nitrile pendants on magnetic chitosan-g-polyacrylonitrile/laponite RD (mChtioPANLap) were converted to amidoxime groups. We developed a polyamidoximated magnetic nanocomposite based on a mixture of chitosan/laponite RD, possessing a high adsorption capacity for Cu2+. By introducing magnetic laponite RD the adsorption capacity of nanocomposites for Cu2+ was significantly improved.