Evaluation of cellulose acetate supported MOF 5 crystalline nanocellulose nanocomposite as an adsorbent for methylene blue removal from water

In this study, a novel, low-cost and efficient adsorbent was fabricated through a solvothermal method. The adsorbent consists of cellulose acetate (CA) substrate as a support membrane and MOF-5/crystalline nanocellulose embedded on it. The performance of the material was evaluated for the adsorptive removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution.  The adsorbent illustrated a rapid increase in MB adsorption during the first hour of the adsorption process with equilibrium being achieved 4 hours into the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity and percentage MB adsorption were determined to be 2.92 mg/g and 70.5 %, respectively. The MB adsorption process was found to conform to a Freundlich isotherm model with a 1/n value of 0.672, suggesting a favourable adsorption process. The adsorption process favoured a pseudo-second-order rate implying that adsorption occurs through chemisorption. This study has shown that CA-supported MOF-5/CNC is a promising adsorbent for the treatment of contaminated water.

Audience take away:

• The audience will learn to design efficient adsorbents for water purification.
• The presentation will help the audience to learn the importance of developing nanocomposites from nanocomposites and polymers for various applications.
• This research will highlight benefits of using nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites for the development of economic and efficient adsorbents in water purification.
• This research can be extended to various faculties outside chemistry such as chemical engineering and environmental sciences.
• The research provides an accurate design of the adsorbent that is not only economic and efficient but eliminate secondary contamination.
• The research provide solutions for quest of cheaper and efficient adsorbents for water purification.