Synthesis of PVA/Na-alginate polymeric particles impregnated with banana peels and their application for Copper(II) removal

Environmental pollution has always been an interesting topic to discuss both at national and international levels because environmental pollution accelerates with the rapid development of industry in various parts of the world, especially environmental pollution caused by heavy metal such as copper(II). In this study, banana peels as an organic waste were impregnated into the PVA/Na-alginate polymeric particles through (O/W) emulsion process and crosslinked with calcium chloride (CaCl₂), then used as a biosorbent in copper(II) removal process. The obtained polymeric particles without banana peels waste show white gel-like beads and dark brown for polymeric particles containing banana peels waste. The durability of PVA/Na-alginate containing 2.5 grams of banana peels was measured using hydraulic impact resistance, and it shows that the amount of damaged polymeric particles was 14% with stirring speed of 1000 rpm for 1 hour. The PVA/Na-alginate impregnated with banana peels polymeric particles worked well in copper(II) removal at pH 4 with extracted amount was 0.006889 mmol/g.