A hybrid hydrogel for efficient removal of methyl violet from aqueous solutions

In this study, we reported on the incorporation of a novel supramolecular hydrogel into agarose hydrogel to create a hybrid hydrogel. Both the supramolecular hydrogel and the hybrid hydrogel were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy, and their mechanical properties were evaluated by a compress assay. These results showed that the hybrid hydrogel possessed much better mechanical properties and stability than the supramolecular hydrogel itself. The hybrid hydrogel could be applied to efficiently remove methyl violet from an aqueous phase without affecting its appearance under vigorous stirring, while the supramolecular hydrogel changed to a fragile solid after the absorption of a large amount of methyl violet even under the free-standing mode. Such a hybrid hydrogel has the potential for use in the efficient removal of dye molecules from aqueous solutions. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.