Polymer based gels and their applications in remediation of dyes from textile effluents

Abstract

The unique properties of gels, particularly polymer based gels have drawn attention of the researchers since ages. This review highlights the fundamental aspects of polymeric gels, enumerating them in terms of differences in synthesis or crosslinking mechanism. To broaden the possibility of these polymeric gels to decontaminate textile effluents comprising of toxic dyes, the scope of commonly used dye removal methodologies are duly discussed herein. Adsorption is recognized as the most reliable, commercially viable and eco-friendly technique for dye removal. In this context, thoughtful selection of gel components is crucial to fine tune the flexibility, robustness, selectivity of the adsorbents to accomplish maximum removal efficiency, ability to regenerate, etc. Therefore, in this review, we have summarized the recently developed polymeric gel based adsorbents for efficient removal of detrimental dyes from wastewater.

Keywords:

• Polymeric gel
• textile effluents
• adsorptive dye removal

Acknowledgement

S.B. thanks IISER Kolkata for research fellowship. R.S. thanks DST and DBT for funding. The authors also thank IISER Kolkata for infrastructure.