Banana Plant Fiber-Based Magnetic Material for Efficient Dye Removal

Jim Crocker
21st August, 2024

Banana Plant Fiber-Based Magnetic Material for Efficient Dye Removal

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at Mangalore University developed a new hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite from banana pseudo stem cellulose to treat wastewater
  • The nanocomposite effectively removes harmful dyes like Methylene Blue and Crystal Violet from water
  • The material can be reused multiple times, making it a sustainable solution for industrial wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment is a critical environmental issue, particularly due to the presence of harmful pollutants such as dyes. Among these pollutants, Methylene Blue (MB) is notably problematic due to its toxicity and prevalence in industrial effluents[2]. A recent study conducted by Mangalore University has developed a promising solution: a hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite derived from cellulose fiber extracted from Banana Pseudo Stem (BPS)[1]. This article will explain the findings of this study and how it could potentially revolutionize wastewater treatment. The study focuses on creating an effective adsorbent material to remove contaminants like MB and Crystal Violet (CV) from wastewater. Hydrogels, which are networks of polymer chains capable of holding large amounts of water, have been previously identified as effective adsorbents for removing contaminants due to their high surface area and excellent mechanical properties[3]. The new research builds upon this knowledge by developing a hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite that incorporates magnetic nanoparticles into the hydrogel structure. To create this nanocomposite, the researchers used cellulose fiber extracted from BPS, which was then subjected to graft copolymerization with N-hydroxyethylacrylamide (PHEAAm) using potassium peroxodisulphate (KPS) as an initiator and N, N'-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. Microwave irradiation was employed during this process to enhance efficiency. The inclusion of magnetic nanoparticles was achieved via an in-situ method, allowing the nanoparticles to integrate seamlessly into the hydrogel network. Various characterization techniques were employed to analyze the properties of the developed hydrogel nanocomposite. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful grafting of PHEAAm onto the cellulose fibers. Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) provided insights into the structural and thermal stability of the nanocomposite. The magnetic properties were evaluated using a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), and the surface area was determined through Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Additionally, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) were used to examine the surface morphology and elemental composition. The adsorption capacities of the parent hydrogel and the nanocomposite were tested using MB and CV as model dyes. The parent hydrogel exhibited maximum adsorption capacities of 235 mg/g for MB and 219 mg/g for CV. Notably, the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles significantly enhanced these capacities to 320 mg/g for MB and 303 mg/g for CV. This improvement can be attributed to the increased surface area and the synergistic effects of the magnetic nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix. The adsorption data were best fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating that the adsorption process was primarily controlled by chemical interactions and occurred on a heterogeneous surface. The thermodynamic parameters, including negative Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) and positive enthalpy (ΔH°), suggested that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, meaning it absorbed heat from the surroundings. One of the standout features of this study is the high reusability potential of the developed adsorbent material. Desorption studies showed that the nanocomposite could be effectively regenerated using HCl medium, achieving a desorption efficiency of 99%. This suggests that the material can be reused multiple times, which is crucial for practical applications in wastewater treatment. The findings from Mangalore University align with and expand upon previous research on the use of hydrogels for contaminant removal[2][3]. By incorporating magnetic nanoparticles and using innovative synthesis methods, this study addresses some of the limitations identified in earlier works, such as the need for higher adsorption capacities and reusability[2][4]. In summary, the hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite developed from BPS cellulose fiber represents a significant advancement in wastewater treatment technology. Its enhanced adsorption capacities, coupled with high reusability, offer a sustainable and efficient solution for removing toxic dyes like MB and CV from industrial effluents. This research not only builds on previous studies but also paves the way for future innovations in the field of environmental remediation.

EnvironmentSustainabilityBiotech

References

Main Study

1) Development of banana pseudo stem cellulose fiber based magnetic nanocomposite as an adsorbent for dye removal.

Published 18th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134877

Related Studies

2) Adsorptive removal of organic pollutant methylene blue using polysaccharide-based composite hydrogels.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131890

3) Hydrogel applications for adsorption of contaminants in water and wastewater treatment.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2605-y

4) pH-Responsive polymers: synthesis, properties and applications.

https://doi.org/10.1039/b714741d


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙