Starch/rice husk ash based superabsorbent composite: high methylene blue removal efficiency

Starch-grafted-poly(acrylic acid)/Pterocladia capillacea–derived activated carbon composite for removal of methylene blue dye from water

Starch-g-poly(acrylic acid)/Pterocladia capillacea–derived activated carbon (St-g-P(AA)/P-AC) composites were prepared via aqueous solution graft copolymerization using starch, acrylic acid, and activated carbon of red alga Pterocladia capillacea (0–10%) with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (NH4)2S2O8 initiator. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize St-g-P(AA)/P-AC composites. Additionally, St-g-P(AA)/P-AC composites were investigated for methylene blue (MB) dye removal from water. The impact of the beginning concentration of MB dye, temperature, pH, and adsorption time on MB dye removal was examined. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained at pH 8 was 496.29 mg/g at 0.02 mg/L composites dose and 100 mg/L MB dye. The properties of adsorption were studied by the adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic models. The pseudo-first-order and Freundlich isotherm models demonstrated the kinetics and equilibrium adsorptions data, respectively. The maximum monolayer capacity (qm) was 1428.57 mg/g from Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the MB dye adsorption is exothermic physisorption and spontaneous. The results show that St-g-P(AA)/P-AC composites were effective for MB dye adsorption from water solution and could be recycled.

Porous cationic cellulose beads prepared by homogeneous in-situ quaternization and acid induced regeneration for water/moisture absorption

Chemical modification is a reliable and efficient strategy for designing cellulose-based functional materials. Herein, porous quaternized cellulose beads (QCBs) as cationic superabsorbent were fabricated by homogeneous in-situ chemical grafting cellulose molecular chains with glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride (GTAC) in tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH)/urea aqueous solution followed by acetic acid induced regeneration. The influence of GTAC dosage on the physicochemical-structural properties of cationic QCBs was deeply investigated. Results revealed that cotton liner could well-dissolved in TEAOH/urea aqueous solution, leading to a homogeneous and efficient quaternization medium for cellulose, thereby giving the high DS and positive charge density for quaternized cellulose. NMR results demonstrated the main substitution of GTAC groups at 2-OH and 6-OH positions of the cellulose chains during quaternization reaction. With increasing GTAC dosage, the network skeleton of QCBs gradually transformed from thick fibrils to thin aggregates, as well as enhanced pore volumes and hydrophilicity. Accordingly, QCBs-1.5 with high pore volume (99.70 cm3/g) exhibited excellent absorption capacity and efficiency, absorbing 122.32 g of water and 0.45 g of moisture per gram of the beads in 20 min. This work not only offers a simple strategy for the homogeneous quaternization modification of cellulose, but also provides a porous cellulose-based cationic superabsorbent material.

Functionally responsive hydrogels with salt-alkali sensitivity effectively target soil amelioration

The long-standing crisis of soil salinization and alkalization poses a significant challenge to global agricultural development. High soil salinity-alkalinity, water dispersion, and nutrient loss present major hurdles to soil improvement. Novel environmentally friendly gels have demonstrated excellent water retention and slow-release capabilities in agricultural enhancement. However, their application for improving saline-alkali soil is both scarce and competitive. This study proposes a new strategy for regulating saline-alkali soil using gel-coated controlled-release soil modifiers (CWR-SRMs), where radical-polymerized gels are embedded on the surface of composite gel beads through spray coating. Characterization and performance analysis reveal that the three-dimensional spatial network structure rich in hydrophilic groups exhibits good thermal stability (first-stage weight loss temperature of 257.7 °C in thermogravimetric analysis) and encapsulation efficiency for fulvic acid‑potassium (FA-K), which can enhance soil quality in saline-alkali environments. The molecular chain relaxation under saline-alkali conditions promotes a synergistic effect of swelling and slow release, endowing it with qualifications as a water reservoir, Ca2+ source unit, and slow-release body. The results of a 6 weeks incubation experiment on 0-20 cm saline-alkaline soil with different application gradients showed that the gradient content had a significant effect on the soil improvement effect. Specifically, the T2 (the dosage accounted for 1 % of soil mass) treatment significantly increases water retention (30 % ~ 90 %), and nutrient levels (30 % ~ 50 %), while significantly decreasing soil sodium colloid content (30 % ~ 60 %) and soil pH (10 % ~ 15 %). Furthermore, PCA analysis indicates that the addition of 1 % CWR-SRMs as amendments can significantly adjust the negative aspects of soil salinity and alkalinity. This highlights the excellent applicability of CWR-SRMs in improving saline-alkali agricultural ecosystems, demonstrating the potential value of novel environmentally friendly gels as an alternative solution for soil challenges persistently affected by adverse salinity and alkalinity.

Appraisal of the adsorption potential of novel modified gellan gum nanocomposite for the confiscation of methylene blue and malachite green

In the present investigation a novel, environmentally affable and economical, modified gellan gum nanocomposite (MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT) was fabricated via free-radical polymerization for the liquid-phase mitigation of Methylene blue (MB) and Malachite green (MG) dyes. The innovation of this work is substantiated by the intentional combination of diverse materials, the strategic incorporation of polypyrrole for enhanced adsorption, and the thoughtful addition of MMT as a nanofiller to address mechanical strength and improve adsorption capacity. The physico-chemical facets of MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT and its interaction with the dye molecules were elucidated using FT-IR, SEM-EDX, BET, TEM, and XRD techniques. The optimum conditions for the sorption of MB and MG were deemed to be dosage (1.2 g/L for both dyes), contact time (50 min for both dyes), initial MG/MB concentration (MB = 40 mg/L & MG = 30 mg/L), and pH (MB = 10 & MG = 7). The Freundlich isotherm was identified as the most suitable model, as evidenced by the highest R2 value (∼0.999), indicating multilayer adsorption. The pseudo second-order model appraised the kinetic data. Thermodynamic findings revealed the adsorption process to be spontaneous, viable and exothermic which was ascertained by negative ∆H⸰ values (-22.8 kJ/mol for MB and -18.3 kJ/mol for MG). The substantial Langmuir adsorption capacity (Qm: MG =185.185; MB = 344.827) can be ascribed to the reason for strong interactions between MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT and dyes. The high reliability of MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT was determined by the regeneration studies that worked up to four cycles for both dyes. The real water (distilled water, tap water, and river water) samples spiked with MG/MB demonstrated a substantial uptake of dyes (>85 %) and the marginal influence of ionic strength on the adsorptive potential of MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT validated its efficacy for the decontamination of real effluents. The forces of attraction between the dyes and MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT included van der Waals, electrostatic forces of attraction, and π-π interaction. This green, economical, and viable MAA-g-GG/Ppy/MMT will prove to be an efficient adsorbent for the decontamination process of sequestration of dyes to achieve a sustainable environment.

A Comprehensive Review of Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels as Promising Biomaterials

Polysaccharides have emerged as a promising material for hydrogel preparation due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low cost. This review focuses on polysaccharide-based hydrogels' synthesis, characterization, and applications. The various synthetic methods used to prepare polysaccharide-based hydrogels are discussed. The characterization techniques are also highlighted to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of polysaccharide-based hydrogels. Finally, the applications of SAPs in various fields are discussed, along with their potential benefits and limitations. Due to environmental concerns, this review shows a growing interest in developing bio-sourced hydrogels made from natural materials such as polysaccharides. SAPs have many beneficial properties, including good mechanical and morphological properties, thermal stability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, abundance, economic viability, and good swelling ability. However, some challenges remain to be overcome, such as limiting the formulation complexity of some SAPs and establishing a general protocol for calculating their water absorption and retention capacity. Furthermore, the development of SAPs requires a multidisciplinary approach and research should focus on improving their synthesis, modification, and characterization as well as exploring their potential applications. Biocompatibility, biodegradation, and the regulatory approval pathway of SAPs should be carefully evaluated to ensure their safety and efficacy.

Novel Adsorbent Material from Plinia cauliflora for Removal of Cationic Dye from Aqueous Solution

The food industry is responsible for the generation of large amounts of organic residues, which can lead to negative environmental and economic impacts when incorrectly disposed of. The jaboticaba peel is an example of organic waste, widely used in industry due to its organoleptic characteristcs. In this study, residues collected during the extraction of bioactive compounds from jaboticaba bark (JB) were chemically activated with H₃PO₄ and NaOH and used to develop a low-cost adsorbent material for the removal of the cationic dye methylene blue (MB). For all adsorbents, the batch tests were carried out with the adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g L^-1 and neutral pH, previously determined by 2² factorial design. In the kinetics tests, JB and JB-NaOH presented a fast adsorption rate, reaching equilibrium in 30 min. For JB-H₃PO₄, the equilibrium was reached in 60 min. JB equilibrium data were best represented by the Langmuir model and JB-NaOH and JB-H₃PO₄ data by the Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacities from JB, JB-NaOH, and JB-H₃PO₄ were 305.81 mg g^-1, 241.10 mg g^-1, and 122.72 mg g^-1, respectively. The results indicate that chemical activations promoted an increase in the volume of large pores but interacted with functional groups responsible for MB adsorption. Therefore, JB has the highest adsorption capacity, thus presenting as a low-cost and sustainable alternative to add value to the product, and it also contributes to water decontamination studies, resulting in a zero-waste approach.

Recent Developments in the Removal of Dyes from Water by Starch-Based Adsorbents

Starch-based adsorbents have demonstrated excellent potential for the removal of various noxious dyes from wastewater. This review critically evaluates the recent progress in applications of starch-based adsorbents for the removal of dyes from water. The synthesis methods of starch-based composites and their effects on physicochemical characteristics of produced adsorbents are discussed. The removal of various dyes by starch-based adsorbents are described in detail, with emphasis on the effect of key parameters, adsorption mechanism and their reusability potential. The key challenges related to the synthesis and applications of starch-based adsorbents in water purification are highlighted. Based on the research gaps, recommendations for future research are made. The evaluation of starch-based adsorbents would contribute to the development of sustainable water treatment options in near future.

Advances in decontamination of wastewater using biomass-basedcomposites: A critical review

Contaminant removal from wastewater using natural biosorbents has been widely studied as a suitable and environmentally benign alternative for conventional techniques. Currently, researchers are working on various biomass-based composites for wastewater remediation to improve the performance of natural biosorbents. This review takes into focus a wide range of biomass-based composites like hydrogel composites, metal oxide composites, magnetic composites, polymer composites, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene composites, metal organic framework composites (MOFs) and clay composites for the removal of various contaminants from wastewater. It is evident from the literature survey that the composite fabrication involves the modification of morphological and textural features of the biomass which results in significant enhancement of adsorption capacity. Apart from this, regeneration of the used biomass-based composite is also studied in depth in order to overcome the problem of solid waste generation. This review would prove to be beneficial for researchers who are currently focusing on the development of cost-effective, easily available, recyclable biomass-based composites with enhanced adsorption capacities for wastewater treatment.

A sustainable process for adsorptive removal of methylene blue onto a food grade mucilage: kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium evaluation

Adsorption of dyes onto natural materials like polysaccharides is considered a green chemistry approach for remediation of wastewater. In this work, the polysaccharide isolated from the corm of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott or taro tuber (CEM) was utilized for removing methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution by batch adsorption method. The CEM adsorbent was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The solution pH and adsorbent dose have been found to have a significant positive correlation with the adsorptive removal efficiency of CEM for MB dye. The removal efficiency of CEM was found to be 72.35% under the optimum conditions; 20 mg/L initial concentration of dye, 120 mg of adsorbent dose, solution pH 8.5, 311.2 K temperature and 80 min contact time. The adsorption of MB onto CEM followed best the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption was thermodynamically favorable and was endothermic in nature. The desorption/adsorption data justifiably indicated the reuse capability of CEM adsorbent for MB adsorption. Hence, CEM may be regarded as an eco-friendly and cost-effective natural adsorbent for MB dye removal from aqueous solution.

Application of polyaniline-based adsorbents for dye removal from water and wastewater-a review

Several industries release varying concentration of dye-laden effluent with substantial negative consequences for any receiving environmental compartment. The control of water pollution and tighter restriction on wastewater discharge directly into the environment to reduce the potential ecotoxicological effect of dyes is forcing processors to retreat and reuse process water and chemicals. Among the different available technologies, the adsorption process has been recognized to be one of the finest and cost-effective wastewater treatment technologies. Various adsorbents have been utilized to remove toxic dyes from water and wastewater. Here, we review the application of polyaniline-based polymeric adsorbent for the adsorption of dyes which have been received considerable attention. To date, various modifications of polyaniline have been explored to improve the adsorption properties. Review on the application of polyaniline for adsorption of dyes has not been present till date. This article provides relevant literature on the application of various polyaniline composites for removing dyes, and their adsorption capacities with their experimental conditions have been compiled. It is evident from the literature survey that polyaniline provides a better opportunity for scientists for the effective removal of various dye.