Removal of copper(II) from water with poly(acrylic acid) and poly(gamma-glutamic acid) followed by relaxometry and spectrophotometry

Abstract

This study demonstrates that poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) are effective adsorbents for copper ions (Cu²⁺), with strong interactions between their functional groups and the metal ions, as confirmed by relaxation and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The adsorption process is rapid initially but shows a decrease in performance over time, indicating a need for optimization of the material properties. Combining PGA and PAA is suggested as a promising strategy to enhance adsorption capacity and prevent ion leakage. Although the study lays a solid foundation for developing environmentally friendly and efficient adsorbents, there is a need for further investigation to address performance limitations.