Studies of the Cationic Polyacrylamide Adsorption on the Montmorillonite Surface in the Presence of Lead(II) Ions

The phenomena of stabilization and flocculation through the addition of polymer is widely used in many branches of industry, e.g., agriculture. Due to the high strength of intermolecular bonding, the polymers are used as an additive to control the process of soil erosion. Flocculants strengthen the soil cohesion, which limits the transport of sediments and thus the process of soil structure degradation. Also, the presence of polymers affects the increase of water infiltration into the soil and dissolved substances, including toxic compounds. Therefore, the presence of soil flocculants may influence the occurrence of heavy metal accumulation. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the presence of cationic polyacrylamide on lead(II) ion adsorption onto the surface of montmorillonite. The effect of cationic group content in the polymeric macromolecules, the addition order of individual adsorbates, and the lead(II) ion concentration were also determined.