Poly-β-Cyclodextrin Functionalized Nanocellulose for Efficient Removal of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

Abstract

This study aims to develop a highly efficient adsorbent specifically designed to remove targeted organic pollutants, focusing on endocrine disruptors. The pollutants of interest included bisphenol S (BPS), triclosan (TCS), and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), which are commonly found in aqueous solutions. The surface of nanocellulose (NC) was modified with poly-β-cyclodextrin (p-βCD) using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linker. The modified NC-p-βCD adsorbent exhibited remarkable adsorption performance due to the inclusion properties of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and the advantages of NC. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the successful modification and provided insights into the structural features of p-βCD and NC-p-βCD. The percentage removal of the target pollutants was quantified using UV-visible spectroscopy, and their adsorption kinetics were studied. The NC-p-βCD demonstrated impressive removal efficiencies with maximum cumulative percentages of 28% for BPS, 74% for TCS, and 58% for TCP. The adsorption process followed Langmuir adsorption kinetics, suggesting monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. This study presents a promising adsorbent by modifying NC with p-βCD to remove organic pollutants effectively. The findings contribute to developing sustainable water treatment methods using NC-based adsorbents.