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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Synthesis of Hydrogels with Antifouling Properties As Membranes for Water Purification
Published on: April 7, 2017
Amino Acid-Based Hydrophobic Cryogels for Efficient Methylene Blue Removal: A Reusable and Eco-Friendly Approach to
Merve Sofuoğlu1, Ali Ender Kuyucu2, Kadir Erol3
1Department of Chemistry, Institute of Graduate Education, Hitit University, Corum 19030, Turkey.
Abstract:
The release of synthetic dyes into the environment through industrial wastewater represents a significant environmental concern. In this study, a hydrophobic cryogel, Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-L-phenylalanine), was synthesized and employed for the efficient removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The cryogel exhibited a surface area of 6.834 m2/g and a water retention capacity of 218.6%. Adsorption experiments conducted under various conditions revealed a high adsorption capacity of 1304.6 mg/g for MB. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that adsorption occurs spontaneously and follows a monolayer adsorption model. The adsorption capacity increased with temperature and ionic strength, confirming that hydrophobic forces predominantly drive the interaction. Reusability tests showed that the cryogel maintained its adsorption efficiency over five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, with a desorption efficiency of up to 98%. These findings demonstrate that Poly(HEMA-MAPA) cryogel is a practical, reusable, and eco-friendly adsorbent for removing methylene blue, a common textile dye pollutant, from water systems.
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