Removal of Remazol Turquoise Blue G-133 from aqueous medium using functionalized cellulose from recycled newspaper fiber

Cellulose from recycled newspaper fiber (CRNF) was functionalized by grafting with double quaternary ammonium groups. The product, functionalized cellulose recycled newspaper fiber (FCRNF), was used as an adsorbent for removing Remazol Turquoise Blue G-133 (RTB G-133) from aqueous solutions. Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to analyze the chemical groups, crystalline structure, and morphology of CRNF and FCRNF. Adsorption studies were done at various conditions. The results indicate that the double quaternary ammonium groups were successfully grafted onto the cellulose skeleton. The surface of FCRNF is smoother than that of CRNF. The crystalline structure of cellulose was disrupted during functionalization process. The maximum adsorption capacity of FCRNF for RTB G-133 was 524 mg g−1. Adsorption of RTB G-133 on FCRNF was spontaneous and endothermic, and it followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model. Physical interactions were important in the adsorption process.