Thermal degradation properties of solid polymer electrolyte (poly(vinyl alcohol)+phosphoric acid)/methylene blue composites

Natural bamboo powder and coffee ground as low-cost green adsorbents for the removal of rhodamine B and their recycling performance

Bamboo and coffee, which are abundant and inexpensive, have been used as green adsorbents for the adsorption of industrial dye rhodamine B (RB). Bamboo and coffee are natural sources of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, making them promising green materials for industrial dye removal. The effects of various adsorption conditions, such as contact time, temperature, dose of bamboo powder (BP), coffee ground (CG), initial concentration of RB, and pH values of RB solution, were measured. Consequently, the kinetics of RB adsorption onto bamboo and coffee was in accordance with the pseudo-second-order model, with an activation energy of 29.51 kJ mol-1 for bamboo and 27.46 kJ mol-1 for coffee. The Langmuir model is well fitted to the whole adsorption period at different temperatures, in which the increase in the tested temperature has improved the adsorption capacity (i.e., BP: 6.76 mg g-1/30 °C, 6.96 mg g-1/40 °C, 7.64 mg g-1/50 °C and CG: 6.53 mg g-1/30 °C, 6.80 mg g-1/40 °C, 7.51 mg g-1/50 °C). Moreover, the spontaneous nature of the adsorption was based on the negative Gibbs free energy values obtained (i.e., from - 11.09 to - 14.30 kJ mol-1 [BP] and from - 10.34 to - 13.07 kJ mol-1 [CG]). These revealed that RB adsorption occurred at physical and chemical adsorption states. In addition, the recycling capability of adsorbents was determined in five cycles. Therefore, these materials are promising candidates for low-cost adsorbents.

Performance Evaluation of Gum Gellan-Based Hydrogel as a Novel Adsorbent for the Removal of Cationic Dyes: Linear Regression Models

In this work, the suitability and efficacy of the previously reported biodegradable gellan gum (GG)-based hydrogel have been thoroughly investigated with respect to the adsorption mechanisms of malachite green (MG) and methylene blue (MB) dyes. The dyes' removal from aqueous solutions using GG-cl-poly(AA) as an adsorbent material has been studied in a discontinuous system with respect to contact time, dose, pH, and temperature. The synthesized hydrogel was characterized by FT-IR, TGA, XRD, ¹H NMR, and FE-SEM. The adsorption capacity of GG-cl-poly(AA) hydrogel was investigated at different pH solutions (3, 7, and 10), and it was found that neutralized charge plays a crucial role in the enhancement of dye removal. To better understand the behavior of the GG-cl-poly(AA) hydrogel in adsorbing model dyes, adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics were also investigated. The values of qmax for MG and MB were obtained to be 552.48 and 531.9 mg g^-1. In addition, the influence of NaCl concentration on adsorption efficiency was investigated, and it was found that as the ion concentration increased, the effectiveness of the adsorption process dropped. Moreover, the synthesized hydrogel's potential application in the adsorption and separation of dyes from wastewater is enhanced by the reusability investigations conducted in convenient conditions. As a result, it is possible to conclude that reusing GG-cl-poly(AA) hydrogel as a low-cost, easy-to-handle, nontoxic material in an industrial wastewater treatment plant's adsorption process can provide a number of advantages, including high efficiency for MG and MB removal and cost savings on overall treatment plant operations.

Unravelling the Methylene Blue Adsorption Mechanism on Doped and Nondoped Polyaniline: A Combined Molecular Modeling and Experimental Investigation

A multiscale investigation including computational chemistry calculations and experimental studies was performed to elucidate and understand the methylene blue (MB) adsorption on polyaniline (PANI) from an aqueous solution. Static DFT and DFT-based ab initio molecular dynamics were used to characterize the intermolecular interactions of this dye molecule with nondoped and doped PANI. Experimental adsorption studies at different operating conditions were performed to complement the mechanism analysis of this adsorption system. Infrared spectroscopy studies and ab initio calculations showed the important role of π-π stacking and van der Waals interactions for the dye adsorption on PANI. Experimental results of MB adsorption on the PANI surface indicated that alkaline conditions were more favorable than acidic conditions where the MB adsorption capacity ranged from 9.91 mg/g at pH 1.8 to 23.16 mg/g at pH 10.9. Equilibrium adsorption studies with nondoped PANI revealed a fast removal of the dye molecules where the equilibrium adsorption was reached after 45 minutes. The kinetic parameters were calculated with the pseudo-second and pseudo-first order models, while the adsorption mechanism was analyzed using the intraparticle diffusion, Boyd, and Elovich models. Dye adsorption equilibrium was studied at pH 8 and 30 °C where Temkin, Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models as well as a statistical physics monolayer model were employed in data analysis. The saturation dye adsorption capacity was 40.2 mg/g where an inclined adsorption orientation of dye molecules on the PANI surface could be expected with an adsorption energy of 14.0 kJ/mol. This interaction energy clearly indicated that only physical interactions were involved in the MB dye adsorption mechanism, which was also confirmed by the calculations with the D-R isotherm model. These theoretical and experimental results are important to understand the dye adsorption properties of conductive polymers and to consolidate their application in the synthesis of new adsorbents and composites for water treatment.

Thermo- and pH-Responsive Gelatin/Polyphenolic Tannin/Graphene Oxide Hydrogels for Efficient Methylene Blue Delivery

Gelatin (GE), amino-functionalized polyphenolic tannin derivative (TN), and graphene oxide (GO) were associated to yield thermo- and pH-responsive hydrogels for the first time. Durable hydrogel assemblies for drug delivery purposes were developed using the photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) as a drug model. The cooling GE/TN blends provide brittle physical assemblies. To overcome this disadvantage, different GO contents (between 0.31% and 1.02% wt/wt) were added to the GE/TN blend at 89.7/10.3 wt/wt. FTIR and RAMAN spectroscopy analyses characterized the materials, indicating GO presence in the hydrogels. Incorporation studies revealed a total MB (0.50 mg/mL) incorporation into the GE/TN-GO hydrogel matrices. Additionally, the proposed systems present a mechanical behavior similar to gel. The GO presence in the hydrogel matrices increased the elastic modulus from 516 to 1650 Pa. SEM revealed that hydrogels containing MB present higher porosity with interconnected pores. Dissolution and swelling degree studies revealed less stability of the GE/TN-GO-MB hydrogels in SGF medium (pH 1.2) than SIF (pH 6.8). The degradation increased in SIF with the GO content, making the polymeric matrices more hydrophilic. MB release studies revealed a process controlled by Fickian diffusion. Our results point out the pH-responsible behavior of mechanically reinforced GE/TN-GO-MB hydrogels for drug delivery systems purposes.

Optical Properties and Conductivity of PVA-H3PO4 (Polyvinyl Alcohol-Phosphoric Acid) Film Blend Irradiated by γ-Rays

This study assesses the optical properties and conductivity of PVA–H₃PO₄ (polyvinyl alcohol–phosphoric acid) polymer film blend irradiated by gamma (γ) rays. The PVA–H₃PO₄ polymer film blend was prepared by the solvent-casting method at H₃PO₄ concentrations of 75 v% and 85 v%, and then irradiated up to 25 kGy using γ-rays from the Cobalt-60 isotope source. The optical absorption spectrum was measured using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer over a wavelength range of 200 to 700 nm. It was found that the absorption peaks are in three regions, namely two peaks in the ultraviolet region (310 and 350 nm) and one peak in the visible region (550 nm). The presence of an absorption peak after being exposed to hυ energy indicates a transition of electrons from HOMO to LUMO within the polymer chain. The study of optical absorption shows that the energy band gap (energy gap) depends on the radiation dose and the concentration of H₃PO₄ in the polymer film blend. The optical absorption, absorption edge, and energy gap decrease with increasing H₃PO₄ concentration and radiation dose. The interaction between PVA and H₃PO₄ blend led to an increase in the conductivity of the resulting polymer blend film.

Enhanced Water Purification Performance of Ionic Liquid Impregnated Metal-Organic Framework: Dye Removal by [BMIM][PF6]/MIL-53(Al) Composite

We incorporated a water-stable ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, [BMIM][PF₆], into a water-stable metal-organic framework (MOF), MIL-53(Al), to generate the [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL-53(Al) composite. This composite was examined for water purification by studying its capacity for methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) removal from aqueous solutions having either single dye or a mixture of both. Data illustrated that the removal efficiency and the maximum adsorption capacity of MIL-53(Al) were increased several times upon [BMIM][PF₆] incorporation. For instance, within 1 min, 10 mg of pristine MIL-53(Al) adsorbed 23.3% MB from 10 mg/L of MB solution, while [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL-53(Al) composite was adsorbed 82.3% MB in an identical solution. In the case of MO, 10 mg of pristine MIL-53(Al) achieved 27.8 and 53.6% MO removal from 10 mg/L of MO solution, while [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL-53(Al) composite removed 61.4 and 99.2% within 5 min and 3 h, respectively. Moreover, upon [BMIM][PF₆] incorporation, the maximum MB and MO adsorption capacities of the pristine MOF were increased from 84.5 to 44 mg/g to 204.9 to 60 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of dyes in pristine MIL-53(Al) and [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL-53(Al) followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and a Langmuir isotherm model. In a mixture of both dyes, the IL/MOF composite showed a doubled MB selectivity after the IL incorporation. The composite was successfully regenerated at least two times after its use in water purification to remove MB, MO, and their mixtures. Infrared (IR) spectra indicated that the MB/MO adsorption occurs on [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL-53(Al) by electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. These results showed that [BMIM][PF₆]/MIL-53(Al) composite is a highly promising material for efficient water purification.

Development and in vitro evaluation of buccal mucoadhesive films for photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans

Candidiasis is one of the most common diseases that occur in the oral cavity, caused mainly by the species Candida albicans. Methylene blue (MB) has a potential for microbial photoinactivation and can cause the destruction of fungi when applied in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Mucoadhesive films are increasingly being studied as a platform for drug application due to their advantages when compared to other pharmaceutical forms. The aim of this work was to develop mucoadhesive buccal film containing poloxamer 407 (P407), alcohol polyvinyl (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for the release of MB aiming the photoinactivation of Candida albicans in buccal infections. Different amounts of P407 were added to the binary polymeric blends composed PVA and PVP. Formulations were characterized as morphology, thickness, density, bending strength, mechanical properties, water vapor transmission, disintegration time, mucoadhesion, DSC, ATR-FTIR, in vitro drug release profile and photodynamic inactivation. The films displayed physicochemical characteristics dependent of polymeric composition, mucoadhesive properties, fast MB release and were effective in photo inactivate the local growth of Candida albicans isolates. The formulation containing the lowest PVA and P407 amounts displayed the best performance. Therefore, data obtained from the film system show its potentially useful role as a platform for buccal MB delivery in photoinactivation of C. albicans, showing its potential for in vivo evaluation.

Preparation of Poly (Allylthiourea-Co-Acrylic Acid) Derived Carbon Materials and Their Applications in Wastewater Treatment

Functional carbon materials have been developed and applied in various sewage treatment applications in recent years. This article reports the fabrication, characterization, and application of a new kind of poly (allylthiourea-co-acrylic acid) (PAT⁻PAC) hydrogel-based carbon monolith. The results indicated that the poly acrylic acid component can endow the PAT⁻PAC hydrogel with an increased swelling ratio and enhanced thermal stability. During the carbonization process, O⁻H, N⁻H, C=N, and ⁻COO⁻ groups, etc. were found to be partly decomposed, leading to the conjugated C=C double bonds produced and the clear red shift of C=O bonds. Particularly, it was found that this shift was accelerated under higher carbonization temperature, which ultimately resulted in the complex conjugated C=C network with oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur atoms doped in-situ. The as-obtained carbon monoliths showed good removal capacity for Ni(II) ions, organic solvents, and dyes, respectively. Further analysis indicated that the Ni(II) ion adsorption process could be well described by pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models under our experimental conditions, respectively. The adsorption capacity for Ni(II) ions and paraffin oil was as high as 557 mg/g and 1.75 g/g, respectively. More importantly, the as-obtained carbon monoliths can be recycled and reused for Ni(II) ions, acetone, and paraffin oil removal. In conclusion, the proposed PAT⁻PAC-based carbonaceous monoliths are superior adsorbents for wastewater treatment.

Fast-Response Flexible Photochromic Gels for Self-Erasing Rewritable Media and Colorimetric Oxygen Indicator Applications

Photoreversible color switching that can change colors with fast response and high stability is urgently desired in color-on-demand applications. Yet, developing such materials has long been a significant challenge. In this work, a strategy based on the integration of TiO₂ nanoparticle (NP) photocatalytic color switching of redox dyes and poly(vinyl alcohol) gel matrix could produce robust and flexible photochromic gels (FPGs) that exhibit fast light-responsive time and high photoreversible stability. Benefited by the soft network structures and monomeric form of redox dyes in the FPG maintained by poly(vinyl alcohol) and ethylene glycol molecules, as well as enhanced photoreductive activity of TiO₂ NPs modified by both surface ligands and oxygen vacancies, the FPG exhibits long photoreversible switching cycles (≥50 times), decoloration in a short period of less than 8 s upon UV illumination, and recoloration in 16 min in ambient air and rapidly in 140 s upon near-infrared light illumination. Consequently, the excellent photoreversible color switching of the FPGs is highly applicable as both self-erasing rewritable media and colorimetric oxygen indicators. We believe that the current systems represent a big step forward toward practical applications, such as time-sensitive information storage, colorimetric oxygen sensor, and potentially many other technologies.

Spectrophotometric investigation of the interactions between cationic (C.I. Basic Blue 9) and anionic (C.I. Acid Blue 25) dyes in adsorption onto extracted cellulose from Posidonia oceanic in single and binary system

Extracted cellulose from Posidonia oceanica was used as an adsorbent for removal of a cationic (Basic blue 9, BB) and anionic textile dye (Acid blue 25, AB) from aqueous solution in single dye system. Characterization of the extracted cellulose and extracted cellulose-dye systems were performed using several techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta potential and Boehm acid-base titration method. Adsorption tests showed that the extracted cellulose presented higher adsorption of BB than AB in single dye system, revealing that electrostatic interactions are responsible, in the first instance, for the dye-adsorbent interaction. In single dye systems, the extracted cellulose presented the maximum adsorption capacities of BB and AB at 0.955 mmol.g(-1) and 0.370 mmol.g(-1), respectively. Adsorption experiments of AB dye on extracted cellulose saturated by BB dye exhibited the release of the latter dye from the sorbent which lead to dye-dye interaction in aqueous solution due to electrostatic attraction between both species. Interaction of BB and AB dyes were investigated using spectrophotometric analysis and results demonstrated the formation of a molecular complex detected at wavelengths 510 and 705 nm when anionic (AB) and cationic (BB) dye were taken in equimolar proportions. The adsorption isotherm of AB, taking into account the dye-dye interaction was investigated and showed that BB dye was released proportionately by AB equilibrium concentration. It was also observed that AB adsorption is widely enhanced when the formation of the molecular complex is disadvantaged.

The surface structure and thermal properties of novel polymer composite films based on partially phosphorylated poly(vinyl alcohol) with aluminum phosphate

Partially phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol (PPVA) with aluminum phosphate (ALPO₄) composites was synthesized by solution casting technique to produce (PPVA)_100−y − (ALPO₄)_y (y = 0, 1, and 2). The surface structure and thermal properties of the films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that the films have higher thermal stability with strong bonding between PPVA and ALPO₄.

Effect of Phosphoric Acid Concentration on the Optical Properties of Partially Phosphorylated PVA Complexes

Partially phosphorylated polyvinyl alcohol (PPVA) films were prepared at five mole ratios of phosphoric acid (PA) using solution casting technique. The optical properties of the PPVA films were examined using UV-visible (UV) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The UV absorption spectra reveal that the absorption peaks are blue-shifted with an increase in PA concentration added to the pure PVA. The PL spectra show the presence of peaks which are characteristic of isotactic (389–398, 460–462 nm), syndiotactic (418–420 nm), and atactic (440–446 nm) configurations of the PPVA. The results also show the peak of O–P–O bonding at a wavelength range of 481–489 nm.

A Review of Dye Incorporated Conducting Polymers Application as Sensors and in Solar Cells

Dye doped polymers (DCPs) has a wide application based on their optical and electrochemical properties. Dye sensitisation of conducting polymeric materials has gained a wide theoretical interest and practical application in sensors and solar cell technology. This review gives a broad summary on synthesis, the effect of the presence of dye in the polymer (properties, structure and conductivity), application in sensors and dye sensitised solar cells. Different sensing modes are also discussed as well as the effects of post polymer modification with dyes in sensors. In solar cells, the role of DCPs in light harvesting is summarised using examples. Finally, perspectives and the advantages of dye modification or sensitisation of polymers in sensors and solar cells are included.