CADMIUM REMOVAL FROM THE WASTEWATER USING A CHEMICALLY ALTERED HYDROGEL FROM PLANT SEED MUCILAGE

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd(II)) is a highly toxic heavy metal frequently detected in industrial wastewater and poses serious risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. In this study, a chemically altered hydrogel derived from plant seed mucilage was synthesized as an eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbent for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The hydrogel was chemically modified to enhance the availability of active functional groups and improve its adsorption performance. The prepared material was characterized using standard analytical techniques to confirm its structural and physicochemical properties. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial Cd(II) concentration, and temperature. The modified hydrogel exhibited high adsorption efficiency due to the synergistic contribution of ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, and surface complexation mechanisms. The adsorbent also demonstrated satisfactory regeneration and reusability over multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. These findings highlight that the chemically altered plant seed mucilage hydrogel is a sustainable, low-cost, and efficient adsorbent with significant potential for the treatment of cadmium-contaminated wastewater.