Development of carrageenan modified with nanocellulose-based materials in removing of Cu2+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe2+

Different bio-polymeric matrixes of carrageenan and modified carrageenan with cellulosic nonmaterials were prepared in the form of beads. The nanocellulosic materials were prepared from dissolved bagasse pulp and include cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers and tricarboxy cellulose nanofibers. The prepared bio-polymeric matrixes were characterized with transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The capabilities of carrageenan and modified carrageenan beads to chelate with several metal cations were evaluated. Interestingly, the modification of carrageenan with cellulose nanoparticles obtained high efficiency toward removing Cu2+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Fe2+. The modified carrageenan with tricarboxy cellulose nanofibers which has higher carboxylate content showed high removal efficiency rather than the other modifications.