A systematic method of synthesizing composite superabsorbent hydrogels from crosslink copolymer for removal of textile dyes from water

A systematic method was employed to synthesize several hydrogels by crosslink copolymerization of acrylamide (AM), hydroxyl ethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) at varied operating conditions. Composite hydrogels were also prepared by in situ incorporation of varied amounts of sodium aluminosilicate filler to the monomer mixtures at optimum operating conditions. These hydrogels were used for removal of rhodamine B and methyl violet dye from water at low (0.5-3 mg/L) and high concentration (50-500 mg/L) ranges. The composite hydrogels showed much higher dye adsorption than the unfilled hydrogels. Kinetic, adsorption and thermodynamic parameters for dye adsorption were also evaluated. (c) 2012 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.