Developing a sustainable hybrid adsorbent: Utilizing waste tissue paper with a poly[DMAEMA-c-DVB] copolymer network for effective cationic and anionic dye removal

Abstract

Water contamination presents serious environmental challenges, demanding sustainable remediation solutions. Developing eco-friendly adsorbents from waste tissue paper (WT) offers a promising approach. However, traditional waste-based adsorbents often rely on metals, metal oxides, graphene, and metal-derived carbon, which can cause secondary pollution through leaching. Herein, we synthesized a flexible and durable WT/poly[DMAEMA-c-DVB] hybrid adsorbent [WT-g-P(DD)] through solvothermal copolymerization of N,N-dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and divinylbenzene (DVB) in the presence of WT in an autoclave, offering a sustainable solution to environmental challenges. The WT-g-P(DD) achieved maximum removal efficiencies for MeB and MB dyes, reaching 96.6 % and 94.6 %, respectively, under optimal conditions (initial dye concentration: 10 mg/L, contact time: 120/180 min, adsorbent dosage: 15 mg/L, pH 10/6 for MeB and MB at 25 °C, respectively). Kinetic studies showed that adsorption follows pseudo-second-order kinetics and fits well with the Langmuir isotherm model for both MeB and MB. WT-g-P(DD) exhibited an outstanding adsorption capability of 395.7 mg/g for MeB and 182.6 mg/g for MB. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis indicated that the presence of –OH, and –P(DD) segments within the WT-g-P(DD) hybrid plays a crucial role in facilitating dye adsorption. This is achieved through mechanisms such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking interactions, electrostatic interactions, and acid-base interactions. Notably, WT-g-P(DD) maintained its effectiveness over three reuse cycles, highlighting its potential as a sustainable, cost-effective water treatment solution. This makes WT-g-P(DD) a strong candidate for use in continuous flow systems, contributing to environmental protection and resource sustainability.