Sorption behavior of polyvinyl alcohol/bentonite hydrogels for dyes removal

Clay-polymer hybrid hydrogels in the vanguard of technological innovations for bioremediation, metal biorecovery, and diverse applications

Polymeric hydrogels are among the most studied materials due to their exceptional properties for many applications. In addition to organic and inorganic-based hydrogels, "hybrid hydrogels" have been gaining significant relevance in recent years due to their enhanced mechanical properties and a broader range of functionalities while maintaining good biocompatibility. In this sense, the addition of micro- and nanoscale clay particles seems promising for improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of hydrogels. Nanoclays can contribute to the physical cross-linking of polymers, enhancing their mechanical strength and their swelling and biocompatibility properties. Nowadays, they are being investigated for their potential use in a wide range of applications, including medicine, industry, and environmental decontamination. The use of microorganisms for the decontamination of environments impacted by toxic compounds, known as bioremediation, represents one of the most promising approaches to address global pollution. The immobilization of microorganisms in polymeric hydrogel matrices is an attractive procedure that can offer several advantages, such as improving the preservation of cellular integrity, and facilitating cell separation, recovery, and transport. Cell immobilization also facilitates the biorecovery of critical materials from wastes within the framework of the circular economy. The present work aims to present an up-to-date overview on the different "hybrid hydrogels" used to date for bioremediation of toxic metals and recovery of critical materials, among other applications, highlighting possible drawbacks and gaps in research. This will provide the latest trends and advancements in the field and contribute to search for effective bioremediation strategies and critical materials recovery technologies.

Novel tempo oxidized polyvinyl alcohol/ cellulose nanocrystal-based nanocomposite membrane for malachite green dye removal

In this study, in-situ modification by TEMPO oxidation was performed after nanocomposite synthesis to improve its properties toward dye molecule removal. The unoxidized and oxidized polymeric-based nanocomposite was denoted as PNC6 and PNC6O respectively. The nanocomposites were characterized using FESEM, FTIR, contact angle, XRD and BET analysis. Measurements of swelling ratio and chemical stability were also performed to provide insight into the durability of the nanocomposites. The effects of changing variables included contact duration, pH of aqueous solution, initial pollutant concentration, and temperature were observed. The kinetic study showed that the experimental data is best fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.988 and 0.997 respectively), whereas on observing isotherm data, in both unoxidized and oxidized nanocomposite it fits well with Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.951 and 0.993 respectively). In addition, the effects on Gibb's free energy, Enthalpy, and Entropy were measured in terms of thermodynamic characteristics, it was established that dye molecules adsorption mechanism is endothermic and spontaneous in behaviour. To check regeneration tendency of the nanocomposite seven consecutive adsorption desorption cycles were run and about 90% and 80%, regeneration ability could be seen in an unoxidized state (PNC6) and an oxidized state (PNC6O) respectively upto 5th cycle after that the tendency get reduced. This study suggests that this novel polymeric nanocomposite can be employed as an efficient and relatively inexpensive adsorbent for dye removal from aqueous solutions.

Controversial Issues Related to Dye Adsorption on Clay Minerals: A Critical Review

This critical review points out the most serious and problematic issues to be found in the literature on the adsorption of dyes on clay minerals. The introduction draws attention to the fundamental problems, namely the insufficient characterization of adsorbents, the influence of impurities on the adsorption of dyes, and the choice of inappropriate models for the description of the very complex systems that clay minerals and their systems represent. This paper discusses the main processes accompanying adsorption in colloidal systems of clay minerals. The relationship between the stability of the colloidal systems and the adsorption of dye molecules is analyzed. The usual methodological procedures for determining and evaluating the adsorption of dyes are critically reviewed. A brief overview and examples of modified clay minerals and complex systems for the adsorption of organic dyes are summarized. This review is a guide for avoiding some faults in characterizing the adsorption of organic dyes on clay minerals, to improve the procedure for determining adsorption, to evaluate results correctly, and to find an appropriate theoretical interpretation. The main message of this article is a critical analysis of the current state of the research in this field, but at the same time, it is a guide on how to avoid the most common problems and mistakes.

Cellulose nanofibers/PVA blend polymeric beads containing in-situ prepared magnetic nanorods as dye pollutants adsorbents

Magnetic beads were developed from polyvinyl alcohol and different amounts of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) by in-situ preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles in an alkaline aqueous medium at room temperature. The CNF were isolated from wheat straw, whereas the magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) precursors were simple iron salts. The complete characterization of all the obtained materials was conducted, and among some other outstanding results it showed that all the components were strongly interacting via hydrogen bonding, while the nano-rods and husks like MNPs were effectively acting as crosslinking dots. All the prepared materials had good magnetic responses, and they were able to remove not only cationic, but also anionic dye pollutants from aqueous model solutions.

Deciphering the adsorption potential of a functionalized green hydrogel nanocomposite for aspartame from aqueous phase

Herein, a functionalized green hydrogel nanocomposite based on carboxymethylated gum tragacanth and nanobentonite (GTBCH) was designed via free-radical polymerization approach for the elimination of Aspartame (AS) from wastewater. The GTBCH fabrication was validated by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Central composite design (CCD) was efficaciously applied to determine the quadratic polynomial approach for predicting the adsorption capacity (q_e) of AS. The optimum sequestration conditions were dosage (0.8 g L^‒1), agitation time (35 min) initial AS concentration (60 mg L^-1), pH (6) and temperature (308 K). The CCD results revealed that dosage of GTBCH and initial concentration have greater impact on q_e followed by pH, time, and temperature. The significant adsorption capacity (392.04 mg g^-1), calculated from Langmuir model, could be attributed to the stronger interactions prevalent between AS and GTBCH. Diffusion investigations depicted the uptake of AS via surface adsorption, liquid film and intraparticle diffusion, respectively. Ionic strength and real water have minor effect on the adsorption capacity demonstrating electrostatic interaction has least impact in adsorption process. The pHzpc, FTIR and XPS investigations revealed hydrogen bonding, n-π and van der Waals interactions as the principal removal mechanisms. Robust design, high adsorption capacity, eco-friendly facets along with excellent reusability indicated the GTBCH as a competent adsorbent for AS decontamination from wastewater.

Recent Advances in Functional Polymer Materials for Energy, Water, and Biomedical Applications: A Review

Academic research regarding polymeric materials has been of great interest. Likewise, polymer industries are considered as the most familiar petrochemical industries. Despite the valuable and continuous advancements in various polymeric material technologies over the last century, many varieties and advances related to the field of polymer science and engineering still promise a great potential for exciting new applications. Research, development, and industrial support have been the key factors behind the great progress in the field of polymer applications. This work provides insight into the recent energy applications of polymers, including energy storage and production. The study of polymeric materials in the field of enhanced oil recovery and water treatment technologies will be presented and evaluated. In addition, in this review, we wish to emphasize the great importance of various functional polymers as effective adsorbents of organic pollutants from industrial wastewater. Furthermore, recent advances in biomedical applications are reviewed and discussed.

Environmentally Friendly Polyvinyl Alcohol-Alginate/Bentonite Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Nanocomposite Hydrogel Beads as an Efficient Adsorbent for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution

Hazardous chemicals like toxic organic dyes are very harmful to the environment and their removal is quite challenging. Therefore there is a necessity to develop techniques, which are environment friendly, cost-effective and easily available in nature for water purification and remediation. The present research work is focused on the development` and characterization of the ecofriendly semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) nanocomposite hydrogels composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and alginate (Alg) hydrogel beads incorporating natural bentonite (Bent) clay as a beneficial adsorbent for the removal of toxic methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. PVA-Alg/Bent nanocomposite hydrogel beads with different Bent content (0, 10, 20, and 30 wt%) were synthesized via external ionic gelation method. The designed porous and steady structure beads were characterized by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The performance of the beads as MB adsorbents was investigated by treating aqueous solutions in batch mode. The experimental results indicated that the incorporation of Bent (30 wt%) in the nanocomposite formulation sustained the porous structure, preserved water uptake, and increased MB removal efficiency by 230% compared to empty beads. Designed beads possessed higher affinity to MB at high pH 8, 30 °C, and fitted well to pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a high correlation coefficient. Moreover, the designed beads had good stability and reusability as they exhibited excellent removal efficiency (90%) after six consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. The adsorption process was found be combination of both monolayer adsorption on homogeneous surface and multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity of the designed beads system as calculated by Langmuir isotherm was found to be 51.34 mg/g, which is in good agreement with the reported clay-related adsorbents. The designed semi-IPN PVA-Alg/Bent nanocomposite hydrogel beads demonstrated good adsorbent properties and could be potentially used for MB removal from polluted water.

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Recent Contributions to Engineering and Medicine

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer, which, unlike many synthetic polymers, is not obtained by polymerization, but by hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc). Due to the presence of hydroxylic groups, hydrophilic polymers such as PVA and its composites made mainly with biopolymers are used for producing hydrogels that possess interesting morphological and physico-mechanical features. PVA hydrogels and other PVA composites are studied in light of their numerous application for electrical film membranes for chemical separation, element and dye removal, adsorption of metal ions, fuel cells, and packaging. Aside from applications in the engineering field, PVA, like other synthetic polymers, has applications in medicine and biological areas and has become one of the principal objectives of the researchers in the polymer domain. The review presents a few recent applications of PVA composites and contributions related to tissue engineering (repair and regeneration), drug carriers, and wound healing.

Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions imparted by a pectin-based film: Cytocompatibility, antimicrobial, kinetic, and equilibrium studies

To obtain pectin-based films is challenging due to the aqueous instability of polyelectrolyte mixtures. We overcome this issue by blending chitosan to pectin of high O-methoxylation degree (56%), followed by solvent evaporation. A durable film containing 74 wt% pectin content was produced and used as an adsorbent material toward Cu(II) ions. Kinetic and adsorption equilibrium studies showed that the pseudo-second-order and Sips isotherm models adjusted well to the experimental data, respectively. Langmuir isotherm indicated a maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) for Cu(II) removal of 29.20 mg g^-1. Differential scanning calorimetry, contact angle measurements, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the adsorption. The chemisorption plays an essential role in the process; thereby, the film reusability is low. After adsorption, the cytocompatible film/Cu(II) pair prevents the proliferation of Escherichia coli.