Response surface methodology directed synthesis of luminescent nanocomposite hydrogel for trapping anionic dyes.

The present research work reveals semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) synthesis using response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD) based optimization. The maximum swelling of 362.11% was obtained with monomer, crosslinker and initiator concentrations 4.39 mol L, 1.52 mol L and 4.58 mol L, respectively, temperature 70 °C, time 3 h and pH 4.0. The synthesized hydrogel showed 94.16% and 95.62% removal for eosin yellow (EY) and eriochrome black-T (EBT) dyes, respectively. The incorporation of cadmium sulphide nanodots into the hydrogel network enhanced the % dye removal (96.82% EY and 98.73% EBT) along with fluorescent behavior. Various conditions optimized for EY and EBT dye removal with respect to semi-IPN were: 0.4 g adsorbent dose each, dye concentrations 10 mg L and 120 mg L, contact time 24 h each, respectively. Adsorption studies followed langmuir theory for both dyes. Second order and first order kinetics along with intraparticle diffusion of dye molecules were favorable to EY and EBT, respectively. Thermodynamic study reveals exothermic nature of adsorption. Recyclability of the adsorbent is superior as tested by desorption-adsorption tests.