Regenerable Fe3O4-decorated chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose hollow spheres for adsorption and catalytic degradation of dyes

Biopolymer hollow spheres have shown great promise for wastewater treatment due to their unique structure and properties. However, challenging issues like low efficiency and poor recyclability still exist for most hollow spheres. In this study, the modification of chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose (CS/CMC) with Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the formation of bifunctional CS/CMC-Fe3O4 hybrid hollow spheres were prepared using a facile two stage mixing route, which exhibited excellent adsorption and catalytic degradation of dyes. The removal ability of the synthesized hollow spheres towards acid blue-113 (AB) and reactive orange C-3R (RO) using persulfate oxidation system was greatly improved compared with single adsorption or catalysis. The removal ratio of AB and RO could reach up to 96.2 and 97.5%, respectively. The kinetic process conformed to the quasi-second-order kinetics and the adsorption process was the controlling step of dye removal. In addition, the created hollow spheres showed excellent environmental adaptability and regenerative capability. This study provides a convenient and practical method for catalyst loading on biomass hollow spheres, which has perspective applications in wastewater purification.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the modification of chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose (CS/CMC) with Fe3O4 nanoparticles to form bifunctional CS/CMC-Fe3O4 hybrid hollow spheres. The synthesized hollow spheres showed excellent adsorption and catalytic degradation of dyes, greatly improving the removal ability of acid blue-113 (AB) and reactive orange C-3R (RO). The adsorption process was found to be the controlling step, and the hollow spheres exhibited high environmental adaptability and regenerative capability. This research provides a practical method for catalyst loading on biomass hollow spheres, with potential applications in wastewater purification.