Dye adsorbent prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid onto carboxymethyl cellulose

Gamma radiation was used to prepare a natural polymer-based adsorbent via radiation-induced grafting polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Optimization of the grafting process was done by varying a number of parameters from radiation dose to amount of AA and CMC. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed a successful grafting of AA onto CMC, with a maximum grafting efficiency (GE) of 94%. The effectiveness of the graft copolymers for the removal of two standard dyes, malachite green and methyl green, was investigated. The prepared PAA-g-CMC adsorbents resulted in more than 80% of dye removal for malachite green and methyl green, displaying its great capacity to be utilized as an alternative material for wastewater treatment.