A novel environmentally friendly nanocomposite aerogel based on the semi-interpenetrating network of polyacrylic acid into Xanthan gum containing hydroxyapatite for efficient removal of methylene blue from wastewater

Hadi Hosseini, Pegah Pirahmadi, Seyed Emadodin Shakeri, Ehsan Khoshbakhti, Sobhan Sharafkhani, Vafa Fakhri, Ardeshir Saeidi, David Julian McClements, Wei Hsin Chen, Chia-HungSu, Vahabodin Goodarzi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Eco-friendly nanocomposite aerogels were prepared as adsorbents for the removal of a model pollutant (methylene blue, MB) from water. These aerogels were comprised of hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles embedded within a polymer matrix consisting of a semi-interpenetrating network of xanthan gum (XG) and polyacrylic acid (PAA). Microscopy and BET analysis showed that the aerogels formed had a nanofibrous porous microstructure with a surface area of 89 m2/g. Rheological analysis showed that the aerogels were viscoelastic materials whose elasticity increased with increasing HA concentration (up to 5 w/w%). The aerogels were effective at removing MB from water, exhibiting an adsorption capacity of 130 mg/g after 200 min. The binding of the MB to the aerogels was mainly attributed to hydrogen bonding and electrostatic attraction. A reusability test showed that the MB removal efficiency of over 86% was preserved after 10 cycles of adsorption–desorption. These results suggest that our nanocomposite aerogels may be useful for the efficient removal of anionic pollutants from wastewater and water supplies due to their ease of synthesis, cost-effectiveness, good mechanical properties, high thermal stability, and good adsorption performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)133-142
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Volume201
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Mar 15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A novel environmentally friendly nanocomposite aerogel based on the semi-interpenetrating network of polyacrylic acid into Xanthan gum containing hydroxyapatite for efficient removal of methylene blue from wastewater'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this