The selective and enhanced adsorptive behaviors of supramolecular recrystallized 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid assembled nano-bacterial cellulose

The recrystallized 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (RCTMA) based supramolecular hexamer assembled into nano-bacterial cellulose (NBC) to form the porous and carboxyl functionalized RCTMA@NBC composite which possess high the adsorption efficiency and selective affinity towards cationic dyes based on the chemical force originated from mutual attraction between opposite charges, π–π interactions, H-bonding, as well as adsorption of the NBC’ porous structure. [Display omitted] The effluent discharge produced in the textile printing and dyeing, leather and other fields, will cause the irreversible environmental pollution and extremely threatening safety of living organisms. The appropriate and efficient disposal method of dyestuff originated wastewater has been widely concerned in the past decades. In this study, the recrystallization of 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid (RCTMA) was put forward via a hydrothermal method to form the supramolecular RCTMA-based hexamer and thereafter assembled into the porous nano-bacterial cellulose (NBC) to construct the RCTMA@NBC composite. The morphology and surface properties of RCTMA@NBC were examined by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This RCTMA@NBC was employed to adsorb methylene blue (MB) adjusting the pH, temperature, and dosage of adsorbent. The result showed the maximal absorption capacity of RCTMA@NBC appeared under pH = 7.1 and higher temperature will hinder the adsorption of dyes. Moreover, the adsorption isotherms and kinetics were evaluated which was more confirmed to Langmuir model and quasi-second-order kinetic equation, and the simulated maximum adsorption capacities of MB was 1162.12 mg/g. Moreover, cationic golden XGL and anionic brilliant crocein were selected to further verify the distinct adsorptive behavior. The excellent affinity towards cationic dyes proved the easy combination was based on the chemical force originated from mutual attraction between opposite charges, π–π interactions, and H-bonding, whereas the poor attraction for brilliant crocein was due to the electrostatic repulsion between sulfonic and carboxyl groups. The synthesized RCTMA@NBC possesses higher efficiency and selective adsorption, which exhibits the promising potential in the field of precise treatment of organic dye wastewater.