Adsorption properties of nano-cellulose hybrid containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solution

Dyeing wastewater is an important class of pollutants, which can be identified by human's eye. The release of some dyes in water streams has serious environmental impacts. Nano-cellulose hybrids containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with multi-N-methylol (R-POSS) could be used as novel biosorbents for dyes. Adsorption properties of nano-cellulose hybrid for reactive dyes from aqueous solution were investigated. Reactive dyes, Yellow B-4RFN, and Blue B-RN, were used. The surface chemical ingredient of the hybrid was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The removal capacities of nano-cellulose hybrid materials for reactive dyes from aqueous solution were significantly higher than that of control cellulose. The adsorption kinetics of two reactive dyes, Reactive Yellow B-4RFN and Reactive Blue B-RN, were good fit with the second-order models. Nano-cellulose hybrids have potential application as biosorbents in the low concentration dyeing wastewater.