Sains Malaysiana 53(5)(2024): 1149-1166

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2024-5305-14

Optimizing Methylene Blue Dye Adsorption onto Liquid Natural Rubber-Based Hydrogel: Kinetics, Isotherms and Reusability

(Mengoptimumkan Penjerapan Pewarna Biru Metilena pada Hidrogel Berasaskan Getah Asli Cecair: Kinetik, Isoterma dan Kebolehgunaan Semula)

OMAR D. ABDUL SATTAR^1,2, ROZIDA MOHD KHALID^2,3, SITI FAIRUS M. YUSOFF^2,3,*

¹Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Diyala, Iraq

 ²Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science andTechnology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

³Polymer Research Centre (PORCE), Faculty of Science andTechnology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

Received: 21 January 2024/Accepted: 26 March 2024

Abstract

In recent years, notable advancements have taken place in the textile industry, particularly with the widespread use of synthetic dyes such as methylene blue (MB). However, the environmental impact of these dyes has raised significant concerns. Their potential to influence both chemical and biochemical demand poses risks, leading to potential disruptions in aquatic plant photosynthesis. Additionally, concerns exist regarding the toxicity and potential carcinogenicity of these dyes to humans. This study achieved successful hydrogel synthesis through the efficient utilization of ultrasonic methods, combining liquid natural rubber (LNR), acrylic acid (AAc), and pectin (Pc) to adsorb MB from aqueous solutions. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to analyze the structure. Utilizing Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the study investigated the effects of the AAc:LNR weight ratio and Pc weight on hydrogel preparation for MB removal. This led to the development of a quadratic polynomial model with an ANOVA-derived R² value of 0.9970. Optimal conditions for hydrogel production were identified as a 3.00 g/g AAc:LNR weight ratio and 0.0325g of Pc, resulting in an impressive 99.07% MB removal effectiveness. The limit of detection (LOD) for methylene blue adsorption was calculated at 0.64 ppm. The kinetics and isotherms of MB removal were described by the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models, respectively. Furthermore, the investigation into hydrogel reusability demonstrated its capability for up to five utilization cycles. The LNR/AAc/Pc hydrogel exhibits promising potential as an effective, cost-efficient, and environmentally conscious adsorbent for MB removal. This makes it applicable to water treatment scenarios involving cationic dyes.

Keywords: Acrylic acid; adsorption; natural rubber; pectin; Response Surface Methodology

Abstrak

Beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, terdapat kemajuan yang signifikan dalam industri tekstil, khususnya dengan penggunaan pewarna sintetik seperti metilina biru (MB). Walau bagaimanapun, kesan alam sekitar daripada pewarna ini telah menimbulkan kebimbangan yang ketara. Pewarna ini berpotensi untuk mempengaruhi permintaan kimia dan biokimia yang boleh menyebabkan gangguan dalam fotosintesis tumbuhan akuatik. Selain itu, terdapat risiko berkaitan dengan ketoksikan dan potensi karsinogen kepada manusia. Kajian ini telah berjaya mensintesis hidrogel melalui penggunaan kaedah ultrasonik yang cekap dengan menggabungkan getah asli cecair (LNR), asid akrilik (AAc) dan pektin (Pc) untuk menjerap MB daripada larutan akues. Spektroskopi Inframerah Transformasi Fourier (FTIR) dan Mikroskopi Elektron Imbasan (SEM) digunakan untuk menganalisis struktur hidrogel. Dengan menggunakan Kaedah Gerak Balas Permukaan (RSM), penyelidikan ini mengkaji kesan nisbah berat AAc:LNR dan berat Pc terhadap penghasilan hidrogel dalam penyingkiran MB. Ini menghasilkan model polinomial kuadratik dengan nilai R² yang diperoleh daripada ANOVA sebanyak 0.9970. Keadaan optimum untuk penyingkiran hidrogel dikenal pasti sebagai nisbah berat AAc:LNR sebanyak 3.00 g/g dan 0.0325 g Pc yang menghasilkan keberkesanan penyingkiran MB sebanyak 99.07%. Had umum penemuan (LOD) bagi penjerapan biru metilina telah dihitung pada 0.64 ppm. Kinetik dan isoterma penyingkiran MB masing-masing dijelaskan oleh model pseudo-tertib kedua dan Freundlich. Selain itu, kajian mengenai kebolehgunaan semula hidrogel menunjukkan keupayaannya untuk sehingga lima kitaran kegunaan. Hidrogel LNR/AAc/Pc menunjukkan potensi yang baik sebagai penjerap yang berkesan, kos-cekap dan peka alam sekitar untuk penyingkiran MB. Ini menjadikannya sesuai untuk senario rawatan air yang melibatkan pewarna kation.

Kata kunci: Asid akrilik; getah asli; Kaedah Gerak Balas Permukaan; pektin; penjerapan

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*Corresponding author; email: sitifairus@ukm.edu.my