Quaternization of cotton stalks and palm tree particles for removal of acid dye from aqueous solutions

Cotton stalks and palm tree were independently grounded, washed thoroughly, and dried at ambient conditions. The cellulose of the obtained products was reacted with diepoxypropyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (III) along with 2-hydroxy-1,3-bis[(epoxypropyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) propane (IV)], thereby giving rise to quaternized products. Compounds III and IV were the resultants of activation with NaOH of a quaternizing agent known commercially as Refaktam K. Quaternization was carried out under different conditions, including material-to-liquor ratio, concentration of the activated Refaktam K, and time and temperature of the reaction. Nitrogen contents of the reaction products were taken as a measure of the extent of the reaction. Also reported was a thorough investigation into the ability of the quaternized products for acid dye adsorption by virture of their cationic nature. The adsorption data obey the Langmuir and Freundlish isotherms. It was further disclosed that the cationic products examined serve as excellent adsorbents for acid dye.