Chitosan Biopolymer Based Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Removal of Methylene Blue Dye

Abstract

Wastewater treatment is a process used to remove contaminants from wastewater or sewage and convert it into an effluent that can be returned to the water cycle with minimum impact on the environment. Contaminated wastewater can cause a major problem and incite panic amongst residents in the area. That is why the presence of industrial wastewater treatment. There are many ways to treat the water and the Nanocomposites hydrogel is the most commonly used method in the treatment of textile wastewater. Nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) are nanomaterial-filled, hydrated, polymeric networks that exhibit higher elasticity and strength relative to traditionally made hydrogels. Nanocomposite hydrogels were synthesized by γ-radiation induced copolymerization and crosslinking of acrylic acid in the presence of Chitosan biopolymer and TiO2 nanoparticle. The structure was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the morphology was investigated using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal properties of the films were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis techniques (TGA) and the structure of the nanocomposite was observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The swelling behavior of the prepared hydrogels to the dye is determined by investigating the time and pH-dependent swelling of the prepared hydrogels. The nanocomposites hydrogel was used for the adsorption of methylene blue dye from water. The influence of TiO2 nanoparticle content on adsorption were studied. Maximum adsorption capacity of 1156.61 mg/ g and adsorption efficiency of 99.6% towards methylene blue were obtained for the hydrogel nanocomposite. Extensive employment of these products in a number of industrial and environmental areas of application is considered to be prime importance. Natural hydrogels were gradually replaced by synthetic types due to their higher water absorption capacity and removal dye. In conclusion, the higher the temperature, the greater absorption weight, and the more PH, the uptake present increases. Also, the rate of uptake present increases with the increase of Titanium Dioxide. It was found that the highest uptake present was 99% at 50 ° C and Titanium Dioxide present 3%.