Surface functionalization of cellulose with polyethyleneimine and magnetic nanoparticles for efficient removal of anionic dye in wastewater

Abstract

Activated carbon (AC) has been prevalently used in dye effluent treatment. Nonetheless, the large-scale utilization of AC is normally restricted by its production cost and time-consuming synthesis procedures (carbonization, activation, washing etc.). This study presents a new adsorbent was successfully synthesized via a rapid and straightforward process for removal of anionic dye. The adsorbent was developed from the incorporation of cellulose with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and magnetic nanoparticle (MNP), termed as MCPEI, via crosslinking method. The significant effects of parameters in adsorbent synthesis processes, such as the ratio of materials (cellulose, PEI, MNP), impregnation time and crosslinking degree on the characteristics and synthesis mechanism of MCPEI were investigated. The results reveal that the adsorption of anionic reactive black 5 (RB5) dye onto MCPEI was highly dependent on the ratio of cellulose to PEI (2:1) and MNP dosage of 0.6 g. The surface chemistry of cellulose was successfully modified with PEI and MNP, as depicted by the FTIR, FESEM, EDX analysis and acid-base titration result. The BET analysis showed that the MCPEI adsorbent owned low surface area (1.36 m2/g) and pore volume (0.022 cm3/g) without activation and carbonization. The adsorption efficiency of MCPEI increased with reaction time until equilibrium was accomplished at 180 min. The adsorption of RB5 onto MCPEI was best described as chemisorption with maximum adsorption capacity of 330 mg/g. The excellent adsorption capacity combined with magnetic separation properties makes MCPEI a promising candidate adsorbent for a replacement of commercial AC.