CELLULOSE ACETATE/COPPER (II) OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITE FOR SELECTIVE DETECTION AND EXTRACTION OF LEAD (II) IONS

Nanocomposites (NCs) based on cellulose acetate (CA) were prepared by dispersing copper (II) oxide (CuO) nanofillers in the cellulose acetate matrix. Nanocomposites were structurally examined by different spectroscopic techniques. The CA/CuO NCs were immobilized on a silver electrode (AgE) to investigate its chemical sensing behavior toward lead ions by I-V (current vs. voltage) technique. The calibration curve showed good electrical response toward Pb +2 with linearity up to 100 M. The linear range exhibited good sensitivity (213.43 A.cm -2 .mM - ). The electrical performance showed an optimum response at pH 6 and good selectivity toward Pb +2 , compared to the interference of other metal ions. Further, the selectivity of NCs toward different metal ions, including Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Pb 2+ , Mn 2+ , Sr 3+ , Al 3+ , Fe 3+ and Ce 3+ , was investigated by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. CA/CuO (3% w/w) displayed higher uptake capacity for Pb 2+ with K d of 344170 mL/g. These data revealed that CA/CuO NCs exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity toward detection and extraction of lead ions and could be used for the efficient removal of Pb 2 .