Development of Nanocellulose-Chitosan-Based Nanocomposite for Adsorption of Malachite Green: Isotherms and Kinetic Study.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were obtained by series of chemical treatments on dried and grounded sugarcane bagasse. Particle size analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were done which confirmed the crystalline behavior of prepared nanocellulose. Nanocomposite adsorbent was prepared by using CNC as filler, chitosan as a binder, and N, N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as cross-linker in different ratios. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed the porous structure of the composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed crosslinking between CNC and chitosan, contact angle results showed hydrophilic behavior of nanocomposite, and tensile strength testing confirmed good strength of prepared nanocomposite. Malachite green (MG) dye adsorption capacity of nanocomposite adsorbent for different initial dye concentrations was studied and results depicted a maximum removal rate in the first 30 min which reached equilibrium in 90 m. The highest removal rate was observed with 5.0% CNCs content in the nanocomposite. The experimental data showed the best-fitted correlation with Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.99) and follow a pseudo 2nd order reaction (R² = 0.93) by enabling the chemisorption adsorption phenomenon. The regeneration capacity of the nanocomposite was also analyzed, and it was observed that about 90% of the dye was removed from the pre-adsorbed nanocomposite material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]