Multiamines Functionalized Spherical Nanocellulose‐Nanobentonite Composite Frameworks for Superior Sequestration of Dye Pollutants From Wastewater

ABSTRACT Nanocellulose‐based functional polymers are gaining significant interest for wastewater remediation due to their high efficiency, abundance, low cost, and non‐toxic nature. In light of this, we reported the fabrication of multiamines functionalized spherical nanocellulose‐nanobentonite composite (SNC/NBT) frameworks via a multistep synthesis process. In the first step, SNC/NBT was prepared, and it was then graft copolymerized with poly (glycidyl methacrylate) using free radical polymerization technique. Grafted nanocomposite was then reacted with hyperbranched polyethyleneimine, which incorporates multiamines functional groups on its surface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed the spherical nature of nanocellulose, and the average particle dimension of nanocellulose was observed to be in the range 20–50 nm. Further, multiamines functionalized nanocomposite adsorbent was used for sequestration of methyl orange (MO) and eosin yellow (EY) organic dye pollutants from wastewater. It was found that dye removal was more effective at low pH, and the multiamines nanocomposite adsorbent removed 90% of dyes within 20 min. The maximum adsorption capacity for MO was 420.46 mg/g, and EY was 373.23 mg/g, respectively, using the Langmuir isotherm model. Reusability studies confirmed the repeated use of multiamines SNC/NBT adsorbent even after multiple adsorption–desorption cycles.