Sustainable Mitigation of Paracetamol with a Novel Dual-Functionalized Pullulan/Kaolin Hydrogel Nanocomposite from Simulated Wastewater

Abstract

In the present investigation, a novel, green, and economical dual-functionalized pullulan/kaolin hydrogel nanocomposite (f-PKHN) was fabricated and subsequently applied for the liquid-phase decontamination of paracetamol (PCT), a pharmaceutical pollutant. Pullulan and kaolin were functionalized with L-asparagine and gallic acid, respectively. The physicochemical facets of the functionalized pullulan/kaolin hydrogel nanocomposite and its interactive behavior with PCT were elucidated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and elemental mapping. The process parameters along with the isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamics were methodically appraised via a batch technique to unveil the adsorption performance of the as-fabricated hydrogel nanocomposite. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics of PCT uptake by f-PKHN conform well to Freundlich and pseudosecond-order models, respectively. Relying on hydrogen bonding, n−π, and van der Waals interactions, the maximum adsorption capacity was 332.54 mg g −1 , higher than for most of the previous adsorbents reported in the literature for PCT removal. Thermodynamic calculations corroborated endothermic, spontaneous, and feasible adsorption phenomena. The maintenance of a high uptake percentage (69.11%) in the fifth consecutive adsorption−desorption cycle implied the significant reusable potential of f-PKHN. Swelling studies exhibited 90% swelling within 200 min, indicating the successful fabrication of a cross-linked hydrogel network. The real water (distilled water, tap water, and river water) samples spiked with PCT specified a significant uptake of PCT (>85%), and the minor influence of ionic strength on the adsorptive potential of f-PKHN validated its potentiality for the decontamination of real effluents. In conclusion, f-PKHN with substantial adsorption capacity, green characteristics, and excellent reusability can be reckoned with as a promising adsorbent for the de-escalation of PCT from aquatic sources as well as at the industrial level.

Investigating the sequestration potential of a novel biopolymer-modified ceria/montmorillonite nanocomposite for chromium and coomassie brilliant blue from the aqueous phase: equilibrium and kinetic studies

“…12 Being low cost and environmentally friendly, montmorillonite is a layered silicate material that is employed in industrial elds and many other applications. 13 The combination of more than one reinforcing agent leads to the preparation of a hybrid composite that showed improved properties compared to a single reinforcing agent. 14,15 The basis for xing the interactions between the ller and the polymer matrix is the better dispersion of the inorganic additives in the polymer matrix, which increases the scope of the nanocomposite.…”

Development of Azo Dye Immobilized Poly (Glycidyl Methacrylate-Co-Methyl Methacrylate) Polymers Composites as Novel Adsorbents for Water Treatment Applications: Methylene Blue-Polymers Composites

“…In this context, activated carbon has shown a wide application [ 25 ]. Khan et al investigated a novel, green, and economical dual-functionalized pullulan/kaolin hydrogel nanocomposite ( f -PKHN), which was fabricated and subsequently applied for the liquid-phase decontamination of paracetamol (PCT), a pharmaceutical pollutant [ 26 ]. However, different polymer-based adsorbents, such as grafted cotton fabrics [ 27 ], carboxylated alginate beads [ 28 ], and Phosphoric Acid Doped Pyrazole-g-Polyglycidyl Methacrylate [ 29 ], have been investigated in the removal of methylene blue dye from contaminated waste water.…”

Thiadiazole-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks with a Donor–Acceptor Structure: Modulating Intermolecular Charge Transfer for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Typical Emerging Contaminants

“…Unlike UPW, the real water samples, especially the SW, contained great amounts of organic matter as well as different types of ions (Table S2). The organic matter and ions coexisting in real water samples would consume portion of reactive species in suspensions and might also block the reaction sites on COF-TD1 . As a result, compared with that in UPW, the paracetamol degradation performance in three actual water samples slightly decreased (Figure f).…”