Innovative Lead Removal: Natural Rubber Latex Foam/Coconut Shell-Based Activated Carbon Composite on Flexible Substrates

The research explored the preparation of natural rubber latex foam (NRLF)/activated carbon for the removal of Lead (II) ion (Pb 2+ ). The study investigated the influence of activated carbon (AC) content, ranging from 0 to 10 part per hundred of rubber (phr) while maintaining a fixed size of 80 mesh. The variation in AC content was observed to impact crosslink density and mechanical properties, with an increase in crosslink density compared to neat NRLF. Additionally, the study found a direct effect of AC content on morphology and Pb 2+ adsorption. The highest Pb 2+ adsorption efficiency, reaching 1.28 mg/g, was achieved with an AC content of 5 phr. This research contributed to the understanding of the interplay between AC content, material properties, and Pb 2+ removal efficiency in the development of an innovative Pb 2+ removal system using NRLF and coconut shell-based activated carbon on flexible substrates.