Bagasse hydrogels: water absorption and ions uptake

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to prepare and optimize the preparation conditions of some new hydrogels and in addition, evaluate their water absorbance at different mediums and their ability to remove ions from aqueous solutions. Design/methodology/approach -Cellulose was extracted from depithed bagasse at two different pulping conditions; 3 and 6 hours cooking times, pulp (I) and (II), respectively. These pulps, in addition to cotton linter for comparison, were grafted with acrylamide followed by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The networks were partially hydrolyzed and the structures of products (before and after hydrolysis) were studied using FTIR, SEM, TGA and X-ray. The optimum preparation conditions were identified, before and after hydrolysis, to achieve maximum absorbance and the ability of prepared hydrogels to remove ions from solutions was investigated. Findings -Maximum level of absorption was recorded using hydrogels prepared with monomer concentration ¼ 0.8 mol/l, cross-linker concentration ¼ 0.01 mol/l, reaction time ¼ 2 hours and temperature ¼ 658C. Hydrogels prepared using pulp (I) showed the best absorbance behavior and a tendency to remove ions from water.Research limitations/implications -The ability of the prepared gels to remove ions from water could be further investigated to evaluate the ability of their use in a multi-filtration system for water treatment. Practical implications -This piece of work has suggested a simple way to convert an agricultural waste to hydrogel able to remove metal ions from water. Social implications -Consuming this type of waste reduces the risks resulting from its burning in some countries, such as Egypt, that produce large amounts of it. Originality/value -In this paper, low cost hydrogels, with expected value in water treatment, were prepared using agricultural wastes. They have shown better reactivity than gels prepared using pure cellulosic materials (cotton linter).

Natural and synthetic polymers for water treatment against dissolved pharmaceuticals

“…Burning biomass at some countries results in an air pollution problem with drastic effects to human health and economy . This problem appears on a yearly base at some rice producing countries such as Egypt .…”

Microcrystalline cellulose as a reinforcement agent to cement pastes

“…In spite of the existence of some suggested applications for this waste; paper industry, charcoal production, water treatment and animal food production, still the amount of straw is very big (Mansour et al, 2007;Suramaythangkoor and Gheewala, 2010;Ahmed et al, 2012Ahmed et al, , 2013a. This forces the farmers to burn it which results each year in a black cloud in the sky of some countries like Egypt which produces a serious air pollution problem (Abou Zeid et al, 2008;Garas et al, 2008;Ahmed et al, 2012Ahmed et al, , 2013a. The problem is not only affecting population health but it affects some other sectors, such as tourism and cultural heritage.…”

“…The problem is not only affecting population health but it affects some other sectors, such as tourism and cultural heritage. This has drastic effects to the economy at these third world countries (Ahmed et al, 2012(Ahmed et al, , 2013a. Between the suggested applications to recycle agricultural waste MCC was prepared and used for some pharmaceutical applications (El-Sakhawy and Hassan, 2007).…”

Testing of medical tablets produced with microcrystalline cellulose prepared from agricultural wastes

“…Agricultural wastes are considered a source of pollution in some countries. There are many suggested alternative applications for them; such as the paper industry, charcoal production, water treatment, use in construction materials and animal food production . In spite of these suggested applications, the amount of such waste remains enormous and local farmers cannot find a suitable way to dispose it.…”

“…This forces them to turn to the traditional solution and burn the waste which results each year in significant clouds of black smoke in the skies of countries such as Egypt. The fumes and smoke generated result in a serious air pollution problem, which has drastic effects on human health and the economy of these countries .…”