A biopolymer-based composite hydrogel for rhodamine 6G dye removal: its synthesis, adsorption isotherms and kinetics

The present study reports the preparation and application of a novel biopolymer-based composite hydrogel (BCH) for removal of synthetic dye rhodamine 6G (Rh6G). BCH was prepared from biopolymer chitosan and acrylic acid monomer, in the presence of initiator (K2S2O8) and cross-linker thiourea using microwave irradiation. Synthesized chitosan-based composite hydrogel was characterized by using analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTA) and differential thermal analysis (DTG). The stability of the adsorbent was demonstrated from its water uptake capacity. The dynamics of water sorption study showed the Fickian behavior. The investigations were continued to assess the adsorption potential of BCH for removal of Rh6G from aqueous solution. The effect of process parameters affecting the adsorption of rhodamine 6G (Rh6G), such as adsorbent dose, initial concentration of pollutant, contact time and pH of the solution was evaluated. Removal efficiency of chitosan-based composite hydrogel (BCH) was found to be 87.31% at pH 7 for BCH dose of 1 g/L after 8 h. The obtained data were fitted to adsorption isotherms and kinetics models. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm and kinetics studies indicated that the pseudo-second-order model and the Freundlich model well described the adsorption equilibrium of Rh6G on BCH.