radiation synthesis of novel hydrogel based on wheat flour for dyes removal

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Polymer Chemistry Department, National Center of Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Polymer Chemistry Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.

3 National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

The use of biodegradable natural polymers in the industry has become urgent to eliminate pollution from the industrial wastes. A novel hydrogel based on wheat flour (F) and acrylic acid (AAc) was performed by gamma irradiation. The parameters controlled the preparation conditions were studied such as irradiation dose and hydrogel composition. Characterization of the produced hydrogel (F/AAc) was done by infrared spectroscopy to confirm the structure and the change in the morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The thermal stability also investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The swelling properties was investigated related to time and irradiation dose. The developed hydrogel was used for the removal of Congo Red dye (CR) from aqueous solution. Effects of different operating parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, concentration of dye and temperature on the adsorption capacity of the dye have been studied. It was found that marvelous adsorption capacities were obtained at pH 3. The pseudo-second-order model and the Freundlich model describe well the adsorption kinetic and isotherm, respectively.

Keywords