Anionic Dyes Research Articles

Combining rhombohedral dodecahedral ZnO with g-C3N4 nanosheets for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Photocatalysis technology is an effective method to remove pollutants in aquatic environment assisted by solar energy. Herein, the rhombohedral dodecahedral ZnO was dispersed on the g-C3N4 nanosheets for the construction of ZnO/g-C3N4 heterojunction via the combination of solvothermal method and calcination. The obtained ZnO/g-C3N4 heterojunction manifests excellent photocatalytic ability for methyl orange (MO). Especially, the optimal ZnO/g-C3N4 composite with the ZnO content of 10 wt% (ZC-3) exhibits the degradation efficiency of MO as high as 98.0% under visible-light of 60 min. A series of factors were all-around investigated, such as initial pH, photocatalyst dosage, initial MO concentration, organic anions, humic acid and other dyes. The photocatalytic degradation behavior of MO complies with the first-order reaction kinetics, and the apparent rate constant (kapp) of ZC-3 is 2.3 and 13.4 times than that of pure g-C3N4 and pure ZnO. Meanwhile, the ZnO/g-C3N4 heterojunction exhibits satisfactory cyclic stability and its photocatalytic mechanism is postulated. Therefore, the ZnO/g-C3N4 heterojunction possesses great economic utilization value and is expected to be widely used for wastewater remediation.

Simultaneous removal of acidic dyes on binary mixture from aqueous solutions by magnetic basic resin

AbstractThis study, magnetic basic resin (MBR) was synthesized by radical polymerization and modification. Its functional groups, surface morphology, elemental composition, and magnetic value were determined by ATR‐FTIR FE‐ESEM, EDX, and VSM techniques. Subsequently, the usability of MBR as an adsorbent in the simultaneous adsorption of Tartrazine (Tart) and Reactive Blue‐4 (RB4) dye binary mixtures were examined. Maximum adsorption for both dyes, (170 mg/g for Tart and 184 mg/g for RB4), was observed under acidic conditions at a pH range of 1.5–2. It was determined that the adsorption of both dyes onto MBR occurred in a monolayer, and the saturation time was 90 min for Tart and 60 min for RB4. The adsorption of both dyes fitted the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. It was also concluded that intra‐particle diffusion was effective. Based on the thermodynamic parameters, it was concluded that the adsorption proceeded spontaneously and endothermically, additionally, the calculated E values led to the conclusion that electrostatic interactions dominated the adsorption of Tart and RB4. The MBR exhibited a notable affinity for Tart and RB4, even within a dense matrix containing both anions and cations. Furthermore, it maintained this high removal affinity across four consecutive uses, involving adsorption and desorption processes.

Assessment of potato surpluses as eco-friendly adsorbent for removal of Orange II: optimization and kinetic modelling at different pH values

Orange II, an azo dye used in textile and leather industries, is toxic and contributes to reducing dissolved oxygen in water. In this sense, agri-food waste adsorbents offer efficient, cost-effective dye removal. In this study, potato surpluses were evaluated as adsorbents for the removal of Orange II at 22 °C and pH values between 4 and 9. The adsorbents were characterized by their morphology, elemental composition, infrared spectra, and point of zero charge. Adsorption isotherms were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich models, revealing that the Langmuir equation (0.933 < r2 > 0.882) better described the adsorption process compared to the Freundlich model (0.909 < r2 > 0.852). The maximum adsorption capacity at pH 4 was 1.1 and 2.3 times higher than at pH 7 and 9, respectively. This increased capacity at pH 4 was due to favourable electrostatic interactions between the cationic adsorbent surface and the anionic dye. A kinetic model was developed to understand the adsorption dynamics of Orange II, demonstrating high accuracy with coefficients of determination (r2) exceeding 0.99 across various pH values. The predictions of the kinetic model aligned well with the Langmuir isotherm results, indicating a strong theoretical foundation. The critical contact time required to achieve the minimum adsorbent concentration necessary for meeting a discharge limit of 14.7 mg L−1 was determined using both the Langmuir and kinetic models. Simulation profiles showed that when the adsorbent concentration was increased from 12 to 40 g L−1, the contact time necessary to achieve the discharge limit decreased from 26 to 3.35 h, highlighting the trade-off between contact time and cost. This study offers a cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment and presents a robust model for optimizing batch adsorption processes, marking a significant advancement in using potato surpluses for dye removal.

Valorizing Moroccan crab shells to purify water from Orange G dye: Exploring equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics

A successful approach has been taken to develop a biomaterial derived from fish waste, using Moroccan fish processing by-products from crab shells. Moroccan crab (Portunus pelagicus) shell-derived biomaterial has been developed for wastewater treatment, using marine crustacean waste and addressing the challenges of solid fish waste management. The crab shell powder (CSP) was calcined at 800 °C for three hours and characterized using SEM, EDS, FTIR, and XRD, revealing a predominantly crystalline structure. The CSP's effectiveness as a biosorbent for the removal of the anionic dye Orange G (OG) was assessed under various conditions, including pH, biosorbent mass, temperature, and contact time. Optimal conditions achieved a 98.84 % dye removal rate within 60 min at an adsorbent dose of 0.09 g. The adsorption process adhered to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm, indicating a spontaneous, endothermic surface reaction involving multilayer physisorption. The biosorption mechanism is thought to include electrostatic attractions, n-π stacking interactions, hydrogen bonding, and Yoshida hydrogen bonds. The study suggests that CSP is an efficient, eco-friendly adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment, offering a promising solution for the valorization of fish waste by-products.

New recyclable and functionalized chitosan-based polyurethane foams for effective and incessant removal of Orange II (OII) and Rhodamine B (RhB) dyes from water

The development of new efficient materials for the removal of water-soluble toxic organic dyes has been one of the focused research areas in the recent past. There is a strong demand for the new materials as most of the reported techniques/materials suffer from serious limitations. In this regard, a series of flexible chitosan-based task-specific polyurethane foams (PUCS-GP, PUCS-CA-GP, PUCS-TA-GP, and PUCS-GA-GP) associated with naturally available hydroxycarboxylic acids was developed. The basis for the preparation of these task-specific and functionalized PU foams is to possess amine groups for trapping the anionic dyes (example: Orange II denoted as OII) and carboxylic acid groups for attracting the cationic dyes (example: Rhodamine B denoted as RhB) under specified pH conditions. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess and improve various parametric conditions. The experimental results revealed that the adsorption kinetics closely agree with the pseudo-second-order model having a maximum sorption capacity of 38.3 mg/g at pH 3 for OII on PUCS-GP and 48.4 mg/g at pH 6 for RhB on PUCS-CA-GP. Furthermore, the adsorption process was described by isotherms, kinetic equations and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°). Notably, the regeneration of OII and RhB dyes from the exhausted PUCS-GP and PUCS-CA-GP materials was effectively accomplished. The recovered PUCS-GP shows >90 % OII and PUCS-CA-GP displays >70 % RhB removal efficiency even after twelve adsorption–desorption processes under mild conditions, demonstrating excellent recyclability/durability. The advantages of these functionalized foam materials are facile preparation, high adsorption capacity, good reusability, and very efficient removal of organic dyes from wastewater streams.

Modeling sustainable photocatalytic degradation of acidic dyes using Jordanian nano-Kaolin–TiO2 and solar energy: Synergetic mechanistic insights

The abstract highlights the global issue of environmental contamination caused by organic compounds and the exploration of various methods for its resolution. One such approach involves the utilization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photocatalyst in conjunction with natural adsorption materials like kaolin. The study employed a modeling-based approach to investigate the sustainable photocatalytic degradation of acidic dyes using a Jordanian nano-kaolin–TiO2 composite material and solar energy. Mechanistic insights were gained through the identification of the dominant reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved in the degradation process, as well as the synergetic effect between adsorption and photocatalysis. The Jordanian nano-kaolin–TiO2 composite was synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized. The nanocomposite photocatalyst exhibited particle sizes ranging from 27 to 41 nm, with the TiO2 nanoparticles well-dispersed within the kaolin matrix. The efficacy of this nanocomposite in removing Congo-red dye was investigated under various conditions, including pH, initial dye concentration, and photocatalyst amount. The optimal conditions for dye removal were found to be at pH 5, with an initial dye concentration of 20 ppm, and using 0.1 g of photocatalyst, resulting in a 95 % removal efficiency. The mechanistic insights gained from this study indicate that the hydroxyl radicals (•OH) generated during the photocatalytic process play a dominant role in the degradation of the acidic dye. Furthermore, the synergetic effect between the adsorption of the dye molecules onto the photocatalyst surface and the subsequent photocatalytic degradation by the ROS was found to enhance the overall removal efficiency. These findings contribute to the fundamental understanding of the photodegradation mechanisms and guide the development of more efficient photocatalytic systems for the treatment of acidic dye-containing wastewater. The use of solar power during the purification procedure also leads to cost reduction and strengthens sustainability efforts.

Enhanced removal of acidic dyes (AB1 and MO) from binary systems using anion exchange membrane BII: kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic analyses.

In the current work, the adsorption of acid black 1 (AB1), a hair dye, and methyl orange (MO) on anion exchange membrane BII (AEM-BII) in a binary system was studied experimentally. The effects study for contact time, adsorbent's and adsorbates' concentration, and temperature of aqueous media on the AB1 and MO removal, AEM-BII recovery, and reusability were also investigated. The highest removal was observed at optimum conditions, 150-min contact time and 5g L-1 of adsorbent for AB1 (91.2%) and MO (83.4%). Adsorption kinetics was estimated by pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics. The experimental findings were fitted well by PSO kinetics with an adsorption capacity of 19.45 ± 0.93 and 19.34 ± 0.84mgg-1 for ABI and MO, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption isotherm study confirmed that AB1 and MO adsorption by AEM-BII from the binary system was followed by Langmuir isotherms. Adsorption thermodynamics revealed that adsorption of both AB1 and MO by AEM-BII was endothermic and spontaneous. Moreover, the desorption phenomenon of ABI and MO from the loaded AEM-BII showed that dye removal from AEM-BII was found to be 74.95%, demonstrating AEM-BII can be considered as good adsorbent for acidic dyes from the binary system.

Recent Advances in Utilizing Lignocellulosic Biomass Materials as Adsorbents for Textile Dye Removal: A Comprehensive Review.

This review embarks on a comprehensive journey, exploring the application of lignocellulosic biomass materials as highly effective adsorbents for the removal of textile dyes (cationic and anionic dyes) from wastewater. A literature review and analysis were conducted to identify existing gaps in previous research on the use of lignocellulosic biomass for dye removal. This study investigates the factors and challenges associated with dye removal methods and signifies their uses. The study delves into the pivotal role of several parameters influencing adsorption, such as contact time, pH, concentration, and temperature. It then critically examines the adsorption isotherms, unveiling the equilibrium relationship between adsorbent and dye and shedding light on the mechanisms of their interaction. The adsorption process kinetics are thoroughly investigated, and a detailed examination of the adsorbed rate of dye molecules onto lignocellulosic biomass materials is carried out. This includes a lively discussion of the pseudo-first, pseudo-second, and intra-particle diffusion models. The thermodynamic aspects of the adsorption process are also addressed, elucidating the feasibility and spontaneity of the removal process under various temperature conditions. The paper then dives into desorption studies, providing insights into the regeneration potential of lignocellulosic biomass materials for sustainable reusability. The environmental impact and cost-effectiveness of employing lignocellulosic biomass materials in textiles including Congo Red, Reactive Black 5, Direct Yellow 12, Crystal Violet, Malachite Green, Acid Yellow 99, and others dyes from wastewater treatment are discussed, emphasizing the significance of eco-friendly solutions. In summary, this review brings together a wealth of diverse studies and findings to present a comprehensive overview of lignocellulosic biomass materials as adsorbents for textile cationic and anionic dye removal, encompassing various aspects from influential parameters to kinetics, adsorption isotherms, desorption, and thermodynamics studies. Its scope and other considerations are also discussed along with its benefits. The collective knowledge synthesized in this paper is intended to contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient water treatment technologies in the textile industry.

Hybridized Co, Mn co-doped ZnO@graphite for photocatalytic degradation of orange G dye: Ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity evaluation

This study proposes a novel research investigation into the remediation of orange G dye (acid orange 10) contaminated solution using Co, Mn co-doped ZnO@graphite composite (MC-ZnO/G) material synthesized by a simple hydrothermal route. XRD, FT-IR, EDX, FE-SEM, TEM, BET analysis, UV-Vis DRS spectroscopy and XPS techniques were employed to analyse the physic-chemical characteristics of MC-ZnO/G nanocomposite. MC-ZnO/G shows a higher surface area of 27.4 m2/g than pristine ZnO (12.26 m2/g). Under optimal condition (concentration - 45 ppm, photocatalyst 20 mg and pH - 7), MC-ZnO/G photocatalyst attained a maximum degradation efficiency (MDE) of 97.8 % during 150 min of visible light exposure, whereas pristine ZnO shows a maximum degradation efficiency of 53.5 % only. Furthermore, MC-ZnO/G nanocomposite demonstrated strong stability and reusability, retaining 95.9 % of its stability even after 4 consecutive cycles. The radical studies have been carried out the scavengers, viz., IPA, BQN and EDTA. Under optimal levels, the elimination of OG dye is primarily due to the presence of •OH radicals. The treated effluent was evaluated for its effects on aquatic life, specifically Danio rerio (Zebra fish) by a survival rate of 2 days, and plants, namely Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) by a survival rate of 7 days, in order to assess its toxicity.

Lanthanide Complexes Based on Rigid Benzimidazole Carboxylic Acid Ligand: Sensing of Nitrobenzene, Fe(III) Ions, and Adsorption of Dyes

ABSTRACTFive new lanthanide complexes {[Sm(H2L)(H2O)4(Cl)]⋅H2O⋅Cl}n (1), {[Eu(H2L)(H2O)4Cl]⋅Cl}n (2), {[La(H2L)(H2O)4Cl]⋅Cl}n (3), {[Pr(H2L)(H2O)4Cl]⋅Cl}n (4), {[Ce(H2L)(H2O)4Cl]⋅Cl}n (5) (H3L = 2‐hydroxy‐5‐(5‐(hydroxy‐λ2‐methoxy)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐5‐carboxylic acid) were successfully synthesized under solvothermal method. 1 exhibits a two‐dimensional (2D) network structure, whereas 2–5 feature one‐dimensional (1D) chain structure. The fluorescence investigations demonstrated that 1–5 could be the fluorescent sensor for nitrobenzene (NB) and Fe(III) ions with high selectivity, sensitivity, and low detection limits. Furthermore, 1–5 displayed the good adsorption to anionic dye Congo red (CR), and the adsorption capacities were 140.5, 206.5, 212.5, 111.5, and 211.5 mg·g−1, respectively.

Comparative analysis of EBT dye removal using Spartium junceum and derived activated carbon: experimental and DFT insights

ABSTRACT This study explores the use of Spartium junceum biomass (SJ) to create activated carbon (SJAC) through a one-step activation with phosphoric acid. Characterisation of SJ and SJAC was conducted using FTIR spectroscopy, pHpzc measurement, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, and SEM to analyse their surface chemical groups, morphology, and texture. Results showed that SJAC has a well-developed mesoporous structure, high pore volume, and a significantly enhanced specific surface area (325.759 m2 g−1) compared to raw SJ (1.647 m2 g−1). The adsorptive performance of SJ and SJAC was tested by removing the anionic dye Eriochrome Black T (EBT). Using central composite design under response surface methodology, batch experiments were optimised for factors like pH, adsorbent dosage, initial EBT concentration, and contact time. Optimal conditions were determined using a desirability function. Adsorption data were analysed with various isothermal models, showing that the Freundlich model best described SJ, while the Langmuir model was more suitable for SJAC. SJAC exhibited an exceptional adsorption capacity of 261.36 mg g−1, about five times higher than SJ. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process for both sorbents was spontaneous and endothermic. Density functional theory was used to investigate the adsorption mechanism of EBT on SJ and SJAC, identifying multiple mechanisms such as electrostatic interactions, pore filling, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking, with pore filling being the primary mechanism for SJAC. SJAC maintained over 77% EBT adsorption efficiency across four reuse cycles, highlighting its potential for EBT remediation applications.

In Situ Growth of Nitrogen-Doped Fluorescent Carbon Dots on Sisal Fibers: Investigating Their Selective and Enhanced Adsorption Capabilities for Methyl Blue Dye.

Preparing a biomass adsorbent material with high-absorption performance but low cost plays a vital role in wastewater treatment. In this study, a novel nitrogen-doped sisal fiber-based carbon dots (SF-N-CDs) composite was prepared by directly growing carbon dots (CDs) on sisal fiber (SF) using a microwave method with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a raw material. The prepared SF-N-CDs were characterized using FTIR, XRD, Contact angle(CA), TGA, XPS, and SEM. The results revealed that the CDs were successfully grown on SF. The adsorption properties of SF-N-CDs were significantly enhanced when they adsorbed methyl blue (MeB) dye. Specifically, the adsorption of MeB by SF-N-CDs was up to 619.7mg/g, which was about 2.6 times higher than that of raw SF. This implied that the introduction of CDs increases the adsorption site, thus enhancing the adsorption capacity. Analysis on kinetics and thermodynamics of MeB adsorption by SF-N-CDs revealed that the adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm model and were consistent with both kinetic models. It signifies that the adsorption involves both physical and chemical adsorption processes. Further, the SF-N-CDs maintained a removal rate of 70.9% after six adsorption-regeneration cycles, demonstrating good regeneration performance. Moreover, the SF-N-CDs could selectively separate MeB from a mixture of rhodamine B and saffron T. Consequently, the findings of this study suggest that SF-N-CDs are promising adsorbents for anionic dyes.

Low-cost chemically treated sugarcane bagasse for removal of cationic, anionic and neutral dyes from aqueous solution

ABSTRACT This study presents use of low-cost chemically treated sugarcane bagasse for the adsorption of three dyes: cationic (methylene blue-MB), anionic (Methyl orange-MO) and neutral (Neutral red – NR) dyes. The prepared sugarcane bagasse was characterised using a scanning electron microscope (morphology) and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The FTIR spectra revealed that all the bands were identified in the sugarcane bagasse due to cellulose, pectin and lignin presence. The effect of adsorbent dose, contact time, pH and concentration on the adsorption performance of sugarcane bagasse for the removal of MB, MO and NR dyes was studied. Kinetic and isotherm studies were also carried out to study the adsorption process further. The maximum adsorptive removal efficiency of MB, MO and NR dyes was found to be 98.2%, 50.3% and 81.2%, respectively, at the optimised condition of adsorbent dose: 8 g/L, time: 120 min, pH: 10 and concentration: 50 ppm. From adsorption kinetics, it was established that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order rather than pseudo-first-order. The correlation coefficient values for the PFO and PSO models were 0.9319 and 0.9994, respectively, for MB dye adsorption on SCB. The adsorption isotherm study established that the adsorption process followed the Langmuir model rather than the Freundlich model.

Enhancing the dyeability of polyurethane fibers by introducing protonated tertiary amine groups

Traditional polyurethane fibers (CPUF) are widely used in the preparation of blend clothing in order to improve the elasticity and comfort of fabrics. However, there has been a problem of low acid dye adsorption for CPUF, resulting in light hue of dyed CPUF. In this work, a poly (HMDI-BHOPA) was prepared with dicyclohexylmethane 4,4′-diisocyanate (HMDI) and 1,4-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine (BHOPA), and then added into the CPUF spinning solution for the preparation of modified polyurethane fibers (BPUFs) through dry-spinning technology. Tertiary amine groups were introduced after the addition of poly (HMDI-BHOPA), which could be protonated at acidic conditions to form binding sites for acid dyes, further enhancing the adsorption capacity of the fibers. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) was used to confirm the structure of poly (HMDI-BHOPA). The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the addition of poly (HMDI-BHOPA) had little effect on the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of BPUFs. The addition of poly (HMDI-BHOPA) affected the ordered arrangement of hard segments and reduced crystallization enthalpy of hard and soft segments in polyurethane. Hence, the elastic recovery of BPUFs showed little change, and the elongation at break and break strength decreased compared to CPUF. Zeta potential testing results showed that BPUFs was protonated under acidic conditions. Dyeing results proved the enhancement of dyeability of BPUFs. The dyeing kinetics and thermodynamics of acid dyes on BPUFs were studied to investigate the dyeing mechanism. From the dyeing kinetics results, both CPUF and BPUFs fitted Elovich model. From dyeing thermodynamics results, Langmuir model showed a better applicability for BPUFs at a low pH and temperature condition, while Freundlich model fitted better for CPUF.

Fabrication and performance evaluation of an innovative asymmetric polyethersulfone composite membrane for efficient methyl blue filtration

AbstractGiven the toxicity of wastewater pollutants to both humans and the environment, it is critical to develop a new synthetic membrane with superior permeability and rejection. Herein, a novel asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES) composite filtration membrane was successfully prepared using a simple alternating vacuum‐deposition process with positively charged chitosan and negatively charged cellulose nanofibrils as polycations and polyanions, respectively. As expected, the produced PES composite filtration membranes had a compressed and negatively charged surface, which prevented the anionic dye methyl blue (MB) molecules from infiltrating into the membrane matrix. Consequently, the resulting PES composite filtration membranes exhibited an extremely high MB rejection (99.7%) and a satisfactory flux (37.47 L h−1 m−2 MPa−1). In addition, the composite membrane demonstrated extremely selective removal of anionic dyes in the presence of neutral dyes due to the Donnan effect. Furthermore, the developed PES composite filtration membranes displayed exceptional long‐term stability (99.8% rejection and 36.5 L h−1 m−2 MPa−1 flux after 50 h of filtration) and recycling properties (90.1% flux recovery rate after 3 cycles of running). In conclusion, the PES composite filtration membranes prepared in this study presented great potential in wastewater filtering.

A versatile approach to quality control of protein-based receptor layers by reversible, nonspecific staining for multiplex SPRi immunosensing

SPRi protein arrays for rapid, label-free immunodetection offer an attractive approach for high throughput biosensing and analysis of molecular interactions. However, their routine use for quantitative analysis requires adequate reproducibility and homogeneity of receptor assemblies manufactured ex-situ using microdispensing techniques. There is also an emerging need to develop versatile and non-destructive methods for the determination of protein surface density for quality control of the immobilization process. Here, we report on a simple, one-step method of surface proteins visualization by their reversible, non-specific staining with anionic dyes: Ponceau S (PS), Amido Black (AB) or Coomassie Brilliant Blue G (CBB-G). Using rabbit IgG antibody and transferrin as model receptors, we demonstrate the possibility of protein surface density determination in a broad range up to ∼ 3 ng∙mm−2 (for a 2D monolayer) and up to at least 12.5 ng∙mm−2 (for a 3D hydrogel-coated substrate). The ranges of dynamic response for the developed methods cover the typical surface densities required for biosensing and studies of the binding kinetics. It was demonstrated that each of the investigated dyes manifests advantages in specified applications. While CBB-G shows the highest sensitivity of SPRi response, AB requires the gentlest labeling conditions, and PS shows the highest association rate and ease of washing out, even from protein layers of high density. The feasibility of the developed method for the quality control of SPRi microarray was confirmed. The advantages of the new, dye-based, non-specific labeling method over immunolabeling in terms of simplicity of implementation and versatility have also been highlighted.

Fabrication and Photovoltaic Conversion Performances of Imidazolyl and Fumaric Acid Composite Langmuir-Blodgett Membranes.

Novel organic small molecule structures have received increasing attention in the preparation of multifunctional thin film materials and have become the subject of research in many cutting-edge directions. In this work, imidazolyl and transbutylene glycolic acid molecules and dye molecules were designed and prepared as composite films by supramolecular self-assembly in the LB technique, and their morphological features and spectral properties were analyzed. The results showed that the prepared LB films presented different aggregation states. In addition, their photoelectrochemical properties, on ITO sheets were tested, all of which showed good optoelectronic properties, and their binding energies, structure optimization, and electrostatic potentials were theoretically calculated by DFT simulations, which proved that the prepared films have good optoelectronic properties, and have the potential to become optoelectronic multifunctional ultrathin film devices.

High adsorption capacities for dyes by a pH-responsive sodium alginate/sodium lignosulfonate/carboxylated chitosan/polyethyleneimine adsorbent

Dyes are indispensable for the rapid development of society, but untreated dye wastewater can threaten human health. In this study, an adsorbent (SA/SL/CCS/PEI@MNPs) was synthesized by one-pot method using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), sodium alginate (SA), sodium lignosulfonate (SL), carboxylated chitosan (CCS) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The adsorbent was mesoporous micrometer-sized particles with pore size of 34.92 nm, which was favorable for dynamic column experiments. SA/SL/CCS/PEI@MNPs possessed pH-responsive performance. Under acidic condition, the maximum adsorption capacities for anionic dyes (tartrazine, reactive black-5, indigo carmine) reached >550 mg/g. Under alkaline condition, those for cationic dyes (methylene blue, methyl violet, neutral red) exceeded 1900 mg/g. The function of the various modifiers was investigated. The results indicated that the incorporation of SL, CCS and PEI was able to provide plenty of sulfonate, carboxylate and amino/imine reactive groups so that adsorption capacities of dyes were improved. The adsorption mechanism was explored by FTIR and XPS. At the same time, the adsorption mechanism was more deeply analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations and radial distribution function. It was demonstrated that the dyes adsorption on the SA/SL/CCS/PEI@MNPs was mainly due to electrostatic attraction and π-π interaction. In addition, the adsorbent had good reusability, and the removal still reached over 90 % after five cycles. In conclusion, the adsorbent displayed a broad prospect for the adsorption of organic dyes.

Spectroscopic and solution properties characterization of quaternary ammonium ion containing polycations complexed with fluorescent rhodamine sulfonic acid dyes

Based on the growing range of applications for polycations in research and commercial materials, a continuing need exists to advance the fundamental knowledge and understanding of this class of materials. Spectroscopic and solution properties characterizations of noncovalently labeled, fluorescent Alexa Fluor® dye complexes of two commercial polycations, poly(2-(trimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) monocation and poly[bis[2-chloroethyl] ether-alt-1,3-bis[3-(dimethylamino) propyl] urea] dication are reported to help address this need. A variety of fluorescence spectroscopic methods are used with a special emphasis on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) which is applied to characterize the Stokes radius (RS) and equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) of dye-polycation complexes at nanomolar dye concentrations. Resulting RS values indicate dye binding to individual polycation chains. Measured Kd values in the sub-micromolar range are consistent with strong dye binding. Increasing solution ionic strength with sodium chloride addition inhibits dye binding and decreases the RS of dye-polycation complexes due to size collapse of polycation chains. The complexes differ in their solution stability to ionic strength changes suggesting that both electrostatic and hydrophobic binding interactions influence dye binding. This study establishes the viability of noncovalent dye-polycation complexation in concert with FCS characterization as a general approach for investigating the properties of quaternary ammonium ion containing polycations in aqueous solution.

Sequestration of Dyes from Water into Poly(α-Olefins) Using Polyisobutylene Sequestering Agents

Trace concentrations of dyes are often present in textile wastewater streams and present a serious environmental problem. Thus, these dyes must be removed from wastewater either by degradation or sequestration prior to discharge of the wastewater into the environment. Existing processes to remove these wastewater contaminants include the use of solid sorbents to sequester dyes or the use of biochemical or chemical methods of dye degradation. However, these processes typically generate their own waste products, are not necessarily rapid because of the low dye concentration, and often use expensive or non-recyclable sequestrants or reagents. This paper describes a simple, recyclable, liquid–liquid extraction scheme where ionic dyes can be sequestered into poly(α-olefin) (PAO) solvent systems. The partitioning of anionic and cationic dyes from water into PAOs is facilitated by ionic PAO-phase anchored sequestering agents that are readily prepared from commercially available vinyl-terminated polyisobutylene (PIB). This is accomplished by a sequence of reactions involving hydroboration/oxidation, conversion of an alcohol into an iodide, and conversion of the resulting primary alkyl iodide into a cationic nitrogen derivative. The products of this synthetic sequence are cationic nitrogen iodide salts which serve as anionic sequestrants that are soluble in PAO. These studies showed that the resulting series of cationic PIB-bound cationic sequestering agents facilitated efficient extraction of anionic, azo, phthalein, and sulfonephthalein dyes from water into a hydrocarbon PAO phase. Since the hydrocarbon PAO phase is completely immiscible with water and the PIB derivatives are also insoluble in water, neither the sequestration solvent nor the sequestrants contaminate wastewater. The effectiveness and efficiency of these sequestrations were assayed by UV–visible spectroscopy. These spectroscopic studies showed that extraction efficiencies were in most cases &gt;99%. These studies also involved procedures that allowed for the regeneration and recycling of these PAO sequestration systems. This allowed us to recycle the PAO solvent system for at least 10 sequential batch extractions where we sequestered sodium salts of methyl red and 4′,5′-dichlorofluorescein dyes from water with extraction efficiencies of &gt;99%. These studies also showed that a PIB-bound derivative of the sodium salt of 1,1,1-trifluoromethylpentane-2,4-dione could be prepared from a PIB-bound carboxylic acid ester by a Claisen-like reaction and that the sodium salt of this β-diketone could be used to sequester cationic dyes from water. This PIB-bound anion rapidly and efficiently extracted &gt;99% of methylene blue, malachite green, and safranine O from water based on UV–visible and 1H NMR spectroscopic assays.