Investigating the Effect of UV Irradiation and TiO2 Addition on Heavy Metal Adsorption by Inverse Vulcanized Sulfur Polymers

Organomercury contamination in wastewater is a longstanding global concern, prompting the establishment of the Mi-namata Convention in 2013, following the tragic Minamata Bay incident in Japan. Despite numerous proposed solutions, the development of an affordable and convenient adsorbent remains a challenge. Sulfur, being one of the most abundant elements globally, has shown promise in mercury adsorption in previous research. This study delves into the influence of light exposure on the process of mercury adsorption. Our findings reveal that exposure to UV-A wavelengths (315 nm-400 nm), in combination with the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), enhances the adsorption capacity of a sulfur-rich polymer. The maximum observed adsorption capacity reached 47 mg/g under these conditions. Notably, the presence of TiO₂ and UV exposure did not significantly impact the adsorption of inorganic mercury and gold.