Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution using poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel crosslinked by activated carbon

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and efficient adsorbent for removing methylene blue (MB) dye from wastewater using a three-dimensional porous poly(2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate), p(AMPS-co-HEMA) composite hydrogel crosslinked with vinyl-functionalized activated carbon (VAC). The surface morphology and chemical structure of the crosslinker were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, X-ray spectroscopy (XRD) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) instruments. The surface morphology, chemical structure and thermal properties of the hydrogel were also characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR and thermogravimetric analyzers (TGA). Experimental parameters affecting the adsorption behavior, such as initial dye concentration, time, dosage, pH, and temperature, were systematically investigated. Hydrogel achieved optimal MB removal efficiency (69.53%) at an initial MB concentration of 250 mg/L (1 mg/mL, pH not adjusted) over 24 h. Adsorption kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamic studies, and reusability were investigated. Experimental adsorption isotherm and kinetic data followed the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetics with a maximum adsorption capacity of 284.90 mg/g hydrogel at 293 K. Thermodynamic findings proved the spontaneity and endothermic behavior of the adsorption process. After 5 adsorption-desorption cycles, the adsorption capacity of the composite hydrogel decreased by only 7.51 mg/g compared to the initial adsorption capacity.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Activated carbon
• Hydrogel
• Methylene Blue
• Adsorption
• 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Scientific Research Coordination Unit (Project number: FBA-2021-3674).