MXene/Cellulose Hydrogel Composites: Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Pb²

In this work, acrylic cellulose hydrogel, a typical natural polymer adsorbent, was modified using MXene through in situ polymerization to create a synthetic inorganic-polymer composite known as MXene/cellulose hydrogel. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and thermogravimetric analyses were applied to characterize the chemical structure and micromorphology. The MXene/cellulose hydrogel was utilized for the removal of Pb²⁺ from wastewater. Under optimal experimental conditions (initial Pb²⁺ concentration of 0.04 mol/L, adsorption time of 150 min, pH = 5.5, and MXene doping content of 50% at 30 °C), a maximum adsorption capacity of 410.57 mg/g was achieved. The MXene/cellulose hydrogel corresponded with the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation model and exhibited a better fit with the Freundlich isotherm model.