Graphene-Enhanced Methacrylated Alginate Gel Films for Sustainable Dye Removal in Water Purification

Abstract

Self-standing nanocomposite films were prepared by three-dimensional UV-induced radical copolymerization of methacrylated alginate (MALG) with acrylic acid (AA) and reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) to improve both mechanical strength and dye adsorption capacity in wastewater decontamination operations. Dynamic mechanical–thermal analysis revealed variations in storage modulus: the higher the GO content, the higher the storage modulus (E′) values. Also, the higher the temperature (associated with a lower and lower water content of films), the larger values of E′ for the films of the same composition (E′(25 °C) = 676.6–1538.7 MPa; E′(100 °C) = 886.9–2066.6 MPa), providing insights into the compatibility between GO and the MALG/AA matrix, as well as, assessing the improvement in the nanocomposite’s final mechanical properties. These crosslinked films in a dry state exhibited rapid water uptake and relatively short drying times (ca. 30 min at room temperature for the MALG/AA/GO composites) resulting from the swelling–drying studies and water contact angle measurements. The efficacy of methylene blue removal from water assessed via UV–VIS spectrometry revealed excellent results, expressed as an adsorption yield of 70–80% and 85–98% after 30 h and 258 h, respectively, of immersion time of films into an MB aqueous solution of 12.5 mg/L (as the contaminated water model). The reusability of the same films was evaluated by consecutive extraction processes of MB from the composite membranes when the content of desorbed dye was also spectrophotometrically monitored and conducted in acidic conditions (HCl aqueous solutions of pH 2). Overall, the introduction of GO in the developed self-standing MALG/AA nanocomposite films exhibited enhanced mechanical properties and increased efficiency for dye removal applications. Their great reutilization potential was highlighted by low drying times and a good ability to release the dye initially adsorbed. Thus, the prepared films could be suitable materials for sustainable and effective water treatment technologies.