Synthesis and Characterization of Guar Gum Nitrilotriacetic Acid (GNTAA) Resin and its Application in Removal and Recovery of Toxic Metal Ions from Effluent of Apex Steel Industry

A new guar gum-based resin containing nitrilotriacetic acid group has been synthesized. Nitrilotriacetic acid group has been incorporated into guar gum by a modified Porath’s method of functionalisation of polysaccharides. The guar gum nitrilotriacetic acid (GNTAA) resin was characterized by FTIR, ion exchange capacity, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis techniques. GNTAA resin can selectively remove trace toxic metal ions from industrial wastewater. Various factors affecting adsorption, pH, distribution coefficients (Kd) and percentage of removal of metal ions were studied. The adsorbed metal ions were effectively eluted by different strength of acid solution. The resin is amenable for continuous process and can be regenerated several times. The adsorption of different metal ions on GNTAA resin follows the order Fe(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Pb(II).