The role of surface functional groups of pectin and pectin-based materials on the adsorption of heavy metal ions and dyes

Jun Li; Zai-Lei Yang; Tao Ding; Yi-Jia Song; Hai-Chao Li; De-Qiang Li; Sheng Chen; Feng Xu

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118789

The role of surface functional groups of pectin and pectin-based materials on the adsorption of heavy metal ions and dyes

Carbohydr Polym. 2022 Jan 15:276:118789. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118789. Epub 2021 Oct 24.

Authors

Jun Li¹, Zai-Lei Yang¹, Tao Ding¹, Yi-Jia Song², Hai-Chao Li², De-Qiang Li³, Sheng Chen⁴, Feng Xu²

Affiliations

¹ College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumchi, Xinjiang 830052, PR China.
² Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China.
³ College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumchi, Xinjiang 830052, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China. Electronic address: lsx20131120a@163.com.
⁴ Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, PR China. Electronic address: shengchen@bjfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 34823799
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118789

Abstract

Natural macromolecules have been used to adsorb pollutants including heavy metal ions and organic dyes due to low-cost, accessible, biodegradable, and eco-friendly advantages. Pectin, an important natural polymer, possesses abundant carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups that can interact with the metal and organic cations via electrostatic interaction; as well as be modified by other chemicals for preparing hybrid and composite materials. The resultant materials have been employed to remove pollutants from aqueous solution; the importance of chemical composition was unlocked. Here, we reviewed contaminant removal by pectin, and pectin-based hybrid and composite materials, and highlighted the role of functional groups on pollutant removal. The removal of heavy metal ions was mainly due to surface coordination, while that of organic cations to electrostatic interactions of the functional groups. Moreover, the influence of initial contaminant concentration was critically discussed. The comprehensive review can provide valuable information on pectin and its application in contaminant removal.

Keywords: Adsorption; Heavy metal ion; Organic pollutant; Pectin; Surface functional groups.

Publication types

Review