Radiation copolymerization of (PVA/4-VP) hydrogel for treatment of industrial waste dyes

Abstract

Poly (vinyl alcohol) / Poly (4 vinyl pyridine) copolymer hydrogel was prepared using gamma irradiation as initiator. The effect of PVA/4-VP composition and irradiation dose on the gel content in the prepared hydrogel was determined. It was found that as the content of 4-VP increased the gel percent increased. The increase in irradiation dose resulted in increasing the crosslinked network structure and consequently the gel percent increased. Swelling properties of the prepared hydrogel were also investigated as a function of immersion time, hydrogel composition and gel content. Thermal characterization was determined using TGA and DSC techniques to find that such hydrogel is thermally stable for heating up to 300C. Thermal parameters are dependent on the hydrogel composition in which the glass transition temperature increased with 4-VP content. The possibility of practical use of the prepared hydrogel in the treatment of water from industrial waste dyes was studied. The effect of treatment time, temperature, pH of feed solution, type of dye and hydrogel composition on the dye uptake was also determined. The prepared hydrogel possessed good hydrophilic and thermal properties, high affinity towards acidic dyes, and good durability, which may make it promising for practical use in the separation processes.