Extraction and Characterization of Modified Algae Derivative Cellulose and its Mixtures for Dye Removal

Authors

  • Md Rezaur Rahman Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Anthonette Anak James Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Al-Khalid bin Othman Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Muhammad Khusairy Bin Bakri Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Jamal Uddin Department of Natural Science, Coppin State University, Science and Technology Center, Baltimore, Maryland, 21216, U.S.A
  • Ain Zaienah Sueraya Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Datuk Mohammad Musa, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
  • Mohammed Mahbubul Matin Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
  • Sulaiman Y. Alfaifi Department of Chemistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
  • O. Madkhali Department of Physics, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan 45142, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Mahmood D. Aljabri Department of Chemistry, University College in Al-Jamoum, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohammed M. Rahman Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research (CEAMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Keywords:

Algae, Cellulose, Composite, Synthesis, Clay

Abstract

A new bio-sorbent derived from green algae biomass, Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), was found to be economically practical for water decontamination. This biosorbent comprised of microalgae cellulose, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), Dabai activated carbon (AC), and montmorillonite (MMT), each plays a distinctive role in removing methylene blue (MB) dye. The presence of hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups in algae cellulose, confirmed by the FTIR analysis, offered binding sites for dye removal. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the morphological structure of the biosorbent, highlighting the combined effect of microalgae cellulose, PLA, Dabai AC, and MMT mixtures. The inclusion of Dabai AC and MMT improved micropores and mesopores, enhancing adsorption reactions. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed that the sample containing microalgae cellulose, Dabai AC, and MMT clay in PLA had a specific surface area of 0.784 m2/g, three times higher than the PLA + cellulose sample. Additionally, adding 1% MMT to the sample improved the particle dispersion on the surface of the hydrophobic PLA, thereby improving its thermal properties. Remarkably, the biosorbent effectively eliminated 86.8% of MB dye from an initial concentration of 50 mg/L after 60 min of Vis-light irradiation using Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.

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Published

2023-07-18

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication