Characterization of Some Synthesis Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Sorbent Materials

Different synthesized materials either irradiated or non-irradiated were examined in the laboratory to identify its characteristics as efficient absorbers in removing Pb, Cd, and Cu from contaminated water. Bio-based polymers are gaining overwhelming interest and recognition worldwide due to the health, safety, and environmental concerns associated with the conventional synthetic polymers. These bio-based polymers are renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally-friendly. The characterization analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of the investigated materials. The processing of rice straw was effective in removing silica and hemicellulose and leaving microcrystalline cellulose with an accepted level of purification. Vulcanized used fried oil was efficient to produce polysulphide polymer. Results gained from this laboratory work indicated that irradiated sorbents were more effective on the sorption of Pb, Cd and Cu especially those exposed to lower doses compared to the non-irradiated sorbents. At a high gamma ray dose (50 KGy), some sorbents showed inhabitation effect on sorption behavior and also removal efficiencies. It can be concluded that rice straw and fried oil can be used to synthesize suitable sorbents to remove contaminants from the water, and gamma radiation treatment was effective to improve contaminants removal.