SYNTHESIS OF FUNCTIONALIZED CELLULOSE–MONTMORILLONITE COMPOSITE FOR CONTAMINATED WATER TREATMENT

Abstract

Water is the most significant resource, it serves as primary channel for emergence of life. Impurity of water due to discharge of organic dyes has grown into a major environmental problem since dyes are widely employed in a variety of fields. Several effluents are tenacious, causing environmental and health problems. Dyes can change the color of the water, decreasing light penetration and harming aquatic ecosystems. Some dyes are known to be poisonous, carcinogenic, or mutagenic, which endanger human health. Modern researchers focus on synthesizing eco-friendly bio-adsorbents that are highly efficient, recyclable, and economical to overcome this issue. This research aims to synthesize Functionalized Cellulose montmorillonite composites (Cel-MMT), Chlorinated Cellulose Montmorillonite composite (Cl-Cel-MMT), Aminated Cellulose Montmorillonite composite (Am-Cel-MMT), and Ethylene sulfide-Aminated Cellulose Montmorillonite composite (Es-Am-Cel-MMT) and analyze their activity for dye and heavy metal adsorption. The synthesized composites were characterized by using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Dye adsorption properties of synthesized adsorbent were broadly investigated. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted using CV dye and Ni (II) solution, and effects of parameters such as pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dosages were analytically evaluated. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were investigated to understand better the mechanism of adsorption and variables influencing adsorption process. Data best fits with pseudo second-order kinetics and follows Freundlich isotherm model, showing chemisorption mechanism of adsorption. The adsorbent Es-Am-Cel-MMT shows a high 72% and 98% adsorption capacity towards Ni (II) and CV, respectively. This high efficiency of adsorbent is due to presence of different active sites introduced by functionalization of polymer through organic moietie