Abstract
Due to their responsive behavior, high stability, and reusability, microgels have gained importance as adsorbents for the removal of aqueous pollutants such as heavy metals, nitroarenes, organic matter, and toxic dyes. However, there are few challenges that need to be addressed to make microgels as potential adsorbents for the removal of aqueous pollutants. This review article encircles the recent developments in the field of microgel usage as adsorbents for the extraction of aqueous pollutants. Many factors that influence the adsorption of pollutants such as pH, temperature of the medium, agitation time, pollutant concentration, microgel dose, and feed contents of microgels have been discussed in detail. Different adsorption isotherms as well as the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of the adsorption process have also been enlightened to interpret the insight of the adsorption process. Microgel recovery from the reaction mixture as well as reusability is discussed from the financial point of view. The biodegradability of microgels induced due to the incorporation of specific biomacromolecules is also discussed.
About the authors
Khalida Naseem obtained her MSc degree in chemistry (2012) from Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan. In 2015, she completed her MPhil at the same institute (supervisor: Dr. Zahoor Hussain Farooqi, Assistant Professor, Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan). She is currently working as a chemistry lecturer at Department of Chemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan.
Zahoor Hussain Farooqi obtained his PhD degree in chemistry in 2013 from Qauid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan under supervision of Prof. Dr. Mohammad Siddiq. He has worked with Prof. Dr. Shuiquin Zhou under Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperative Program 2007. He joined Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab (Lahore, Pakistan) as a lecturer in 2008. He is currently working as an assistant professor of physical chemistry at the same institute.
Muhammad Zia Ur Rehman obtained his BSc (Hons) degree in chemical engineering (2016) from NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan. He is a MSc student in chemical engineering at Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Atiq Ur Rehman obtained his MBA-MIS (2012) degree from Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. He obtained his MS electronics degree (2017) from Department of Electrical Engineering, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Currently, he is working as a lecturer in Department of Management Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Maida Ghufran obtained her BS (Hons) degree in chemistry (2017) from Department of Chemistry, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the University of the Punjab (Lahore, Pakistan) for financial support under research grant NO:/999/EST.I for the fiscal year of 2017 to 2018.
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