Mercury Removal Using Sulfur-Decorated Chitosan Polymer Nanocomposites: Adsorption Performance and Mechanisms

In this work, pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂/S and pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂ nanocomposites were synthesized through a combined phosphorylation and cross-linked polymerization method. The materials were thoroughly characterized using several analytical techniques, including SEM/EDS, FTIR, TGA, and BET analysis. SEM images revealed that the pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂/S nanocomposite displayed a smooth, flake-like morphology with spherical, dark greenish particles. EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Si, S, P, and Ag as prominent elements, with Ti, C, and O showing the most intense peaks. The TGA curves indicated significant weight loss between 250-610 °C for pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂ and 210-630 °C for pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂/S, corresponding to the decomposition of organic components. FTIR spectra validated the existence of functional groups such as hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), and carbonyl (-C=O) on the surface of the nanocomposites. Following characterization, the materials were evaluated for their capacity to adsorb Hg²⁺ at parts-per-billion (ppb) concentrations in contaminated water. Batch adsorption experiments identified optimal conditions for mercury removal. For pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂, the best performance was observed at pH 4, with an adsorbent dose of 4.0 mg, initial mercury concentration of 16 ppb, and a contact time of 90 min. For pCh-MWCNTs@Ag-TiO₂/S, optimal conditions were at pH 6, a dosage of 3.5 mg, the same initial concentration, and a contact time of 100 min. Each parameter was optimized to determine the most effective conditions for Hg²⁺ removal. The nanocomposites showed high efficiency, achieving more than 95% mercury removal under these conditions. Kinetic studies indicated that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order model, while the equilibrium data aligned best with the Langmuir isotherm, suggesting monolayer adsorption behavior. Overall, this research highlights the effectiveness of sulfur-modified chitosan-based nanocomposites as eco-friendly and efficient adsorbents for the removal of mercury from aqueous systems, offering a promising solution for water purification and environmental protection.