Recent Advances in Removal of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solution by Gelatin Acrylic Acid-Based Hydrogel - A Review

Abstract

The contamination of water sources by heavy metals poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating the development of effective water treatment technologies. This study investigates the potential of gelatin and acrylic acid-based hydrogels for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Gelatin, a natural biopolymer, was crosslinked with acrylic acid to form a composite hydrogel, benefiting from both the inherent biocompatibility of gelatin and the ion-exchange properties of acrylic acid. The hydrogel was synthesized through a simple free-radical polymerization method, followed by characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques and swelling studies. The removal efficiency of the hydrogel was evaluated for common heavy metals, including lead (Pb²⁺), mercury (Hg²⁺) and under varying conditions of pH, contact time, and metal ion concentration. Results indicated that the hydrogel exhibited high adsorption capacities for these metals, with the swelling behaviour and ion-exchange interactions enhancing the uptake of heavy metal ions. The hydrogel demonstrated a fast adsorption rate and showed good reusability, making it a promising candidate for sustainable heavy metal removal in contaminated water. This work highlights the potential of gelatin-acrylic acid-based hydrogels as a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and efficient material for environmental remediation