SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BIOMASS AND CARBON NANOTUBES COMPOSITE HYDROGELS

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of hydrogels using Guargum and acrylamide as co monomers, KPS as an initiator, and MBA as a cross-linking agent is the primary focus of this research. Functional derivatives of Guargum, such as oxidized Guargum and carboxymethyl Guargum, have been extensively studied to investigate the impact on the physical and chemical properties of hydrogels. Remarkably, the utilization of these chemically modified derivatives has demonstrated a significant enhancement in the swelling ratio compared to the unmodified Guargum hydrogel. The motivation behind this study stems from the remarkable applications of biomass in dye removal, prompting the investigation, the ways to enhance the dye removal properties of biomass-based hydrogels. To achieve this, dried BL and WC peels were selected biomass for incorporation in hydrogel matrix. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes were introduced in the hydrogel composition to augment its dye removal capabilities. Synthesized material was characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The findings of the study demonstrated a significant improvement in the absorption and swelling properties of the hydrogel upon incorporation of biomass and carbon nanotubes. This suggests that the combination of biomass and nanomaterials within the hydrogel matrix enhances its dye removal efficiency, as they pave the way for more effective and sustainable approaches to address the issue of dye pollution. The results obtained from this research provide a foundation for further exploration and optimization of hydrogel compositions for enhanced dye removal. By leveraging the benefits of biomass and carbon nanotubes, this approach offers a promising avenue for developing efficient and eco friendly materials for water remediation.