Removal of pharmaceutical compound (ibuprofen) using a novel modified polyacrylonitrile grafted palm seed powder

Abstract

Adsorption of ibuprofen onto a low cost amidoxime-modified poly(AN-g-PSP) has been investigated. Poly(acrylonitrile-grafted-palm seed powder) (poly(AN-g-PSP)) was chemically modified with hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH₂OH.HCl) to convert the nitrile groups into oxime functional groups. The PSP and amidoxime-modified poly(AN-g-PSP) were characterized by Brauner-Emmet-Teller (BET). It was observed that the specific surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter of were significantly increased after modification with NH₂OH.HCl. The influence of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial metal concentration towards the adsorption of ibuprofen onto amidoxime-modified poly(AN-g-PSP) were carried out via HPLC coupled with UV. The adsorption kinetic study showed that the maximum time required for the removal of ibuprofen to reach equilibrium was found to be 40 min., at pH 6.0 , adsorbent dose 0.30 g with initial concentration of ibuprofen of 100pm at room temperature.