Dye removal from aqueous solutions using novel nanocomposite hydrogel derived from sodium montmorillonite nanoclay and modified starch

A novel nanocomposite hydrogels (NCHs)-based polysaccharide was synthesized by incorporating Na-montmorillonite (NaMMT) nanoparticles (NPs) into poly acrylic acid and polyacrylamide grafted onto starch P(AA–AAm)-g-starch] hydrogel. The conditions applied in this synthesis were optimized using the Taguchi orthogonal experimental design method. The characterization of NaMMT NPs/P(AA–AAm)-g-starch NCH was performed by Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray, and atomic force microscopy analyses. The resulting optimized NCH showed improved pH-dependent swelling and enhanced safranin adsorption capacity compared to pure hydrogel and NaMMT NPs. Its adsorption process could be described very well by pseudo-second-order and Elovich kinetic models. The adsorption isotherm was followed by Freundlich isotherm models. The conclusion confirms the prospect of NCH as an effective adsorbent for the adsorption of dyes from aqueous solutions.