Brilliant red X-3B uptake by a novel polycyclodextrin-modified magnetic cationic hydrogel: Performance, kinetics and...

A novel polycyclodextrin-modified magnetic cationic hydrogel (PCD-MCH) was developed and its performance, kinetics and mechanism for the removal of reactive brilliant red X-3B (X-3B) were studied. The results showed that the zeta-potential of PCD-MCH was 32.8 to 16.7mV at pH3.0-10.5. The maximum X-3B adsorption capacity of PCD-MCH was 2792.3mg/g. The adsorption kinetics could be well-described by the Weber-Morris model and the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM). Diffusion stages corresponding to surface or film diffusion, intra-particle or wide mesopore diffusion, and narrow mesopore/micropore diffusion occurred at 0-120, 120-480 and 480-1200min, respectively. The latter two diffusion stages were rate-controlling for X-3B adsorption kinetics. At the initial X-3B concentration of 600mg/L, the diffusion coefficient (D_s) and external mass transfer coefficient in the liquid phase (k_F) were 3×10^-11cm²/min and 4.68×10^-6cm/min, respectively. X-3B approaching the center of PCD-MCH particles could be observed at 360min. At the end of the third diffusion stage, the C_p at q/q_e=0 was 45.20mg/L, which was close to the homogeneous C_p value of 46mg/L along the radius of PCD-MCH particles. At pH3.0-10.0, PCD-MCH showed stable X-3B adsorption capacities. After five regeneration-reuse cycles, the residual adsorption capacity of regenerated PCD-MCH was higher than 892.7mg/g. The corresponding adsorption mechanism was identified as involving electrostatic interactions, cyclodextrin cavities and hydrogen bonds, of which cyclodextrin cavities showed prominent capture performance towards dye molecules through the formation of inclusion complexes.