Synthesis and Application of Polyacrylamide/Cellulose Gel/Fuller’s Earth Composite for Removal of Methylene Blue from Water

In this study, eco-friendly composite material polyacrylamide/cellulose hydrogel reinforced with fuller’s earth (PAAm/CG/FE), has been synthesized and used for the effective adsorption of the Methylene Blue (MB) dye. The synthesis of PAA/CG/FE composite followed the free radical polymerization method. Chemical compositions and morphology of the synthesized composite have been characterized by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Thermal stability has been determined by TGA analysis. Batch adsorption experiments have been carried out by varying different parameters viz. contact time, pH of the solution, and temperature in order to determine the maximum dye adsorption capacity of the composite. Introducing cellulose and fuller’s earth into the polyacrylamide eventually enhanced the structural stability, thermal stability, and MB adsorption capacity. Based on the experimental data, adsorption kinetics has been found to be well correlated with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. It has been found that the equilibrium adsorption isotherm data perfectly followed the Langmuir isotherm model and maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 48.30 and 56.17 mg/g for PAAm and PAAm/CG/FE composite, respectively. Furthermore, the prepared composite exhibits good reusability, and it is an economic, eco-friendly, and nontoxic material.