NiFe2O4/g- C3N4 modified chitosan Schiff base composite for efficient removal of Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions from the aquatic environment and its antibacterial properties

Abstract

Modification of chitosan has been achieved by the reaction of chitosan with 4- nitro-benzaldehyde via the sol-gel method, resulting in a Schiff base. A novel magnetic Graphitic Carbon Nitride/chitosan-Schiff base/N_iFe₂O₃ (SBIV@NiFe/g-C₃N₄) adsorbent was synthesized by hydrothermal route for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions from the aquatic environment. The synthesized SBIV@NiFe/g-C₃N₄ was characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), with a surface area of approximately 13.657 m²/g. It was anticipated by the results that magnetic SBIV@NiFe/g-C₃N₄ would be effectively synthesized. On Cu(II) and Hg(II) adsorption, the impacts of significant variables, including pH solution, contact duration, metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, and co-existing ions, were examined. Under ideal circumstances, the optimum adsorption capacities of Cu(II) and Hg(II) ions were 889.76 mg/g and 703.21 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, the SBIV@NiFe/g-C₃N₄ material exhibited the beneficial property of simple separation, permitting the continuation of high removal effectiveness for heavy metals like Cu (II) and Hg(II) despite experiencing many reuse cycles. In summary, there are a lot of opportunities for the effective elimination of Cu (II) and Hg (II) from different water sources shortly with the use of SBIV@NiFe/g-C₃N₄, a new adsorbent. The as-synthesized SBIV@NiFe/g-C₃N₄ displayed better antibacterial activity against highly lethal bacteria like S. aureus and P. vulgaris.

Keywords: 4- nitro-benzaldehyde; Antibacterial activity; Chitosan; Cu (II) and Hg (II) removal; Graphitic carbon nitride.