Chitosan-polyglycidol complexes to coating iron oxide particles for dye adsorption

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Chitosan (Ch) and polyglycidol (PGL) interactions are crucial for developing novel materials.
• Hydrophilic coatings are essential for modifying particle properties and applications.
• Iron oxide nanoparticles (M) possess super-paramagnetic properties valuable for various uses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interaction between chitosan and polyglycidol.
• To develop hydrophilic multilayer coatings on iron oxide particles using their interpolymer complex.
• To evaluate the efficiency of the prepared nanocomposite for methylene blue adsorption in wastewater treatment.

Main Methods:

• Molecular dynamics simulations and coarse-grained modeling to study Ch-PGL interactions.
• Experimental validation using surface tension, fluorescence, and FTIR spectroscopy.
• Layer-by-layer assembly for coating iron oxide particles with Ch-PGL mixture and sodium dodecylsulfate.
• Characterization of coated particles using DLS, Zeta potential, FTIR, and EDAX.
• Adsorption studies using methylene blue and fitting to adsorption models.

Main Results:

• Chitosan and polyglycidol chains form weak-strength complexes, confirmed by simulations and experiments.
• Successful preparation of hydrophilic multilayer coatings on iron oxide particles, preserving super-paramagnetism.
• The multilayer nanocomposite (MSCS) demonstrated efficient adsorption of methylene blue from water.
• Adsorption data fitted the Freundlich model, indicating heterogeneous, multilayer adsorption.

Conclusions:

• The interpolymer complex of chitosan and polyglycidol is effective for hydrophilic coating of magnetic nanoparticles.
• The developed magnetic nanocomposite is a highly efficient adsorbent for methylene blue removal.
• This nano-adsorbent presents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach for wastewater treatment.