Facile synthesis of CuFe2O4 doped polyacrylic acid hydrogel nanocomposite and its application in dye degradation

[Display omitted] •Facile synthesis of CuFe2O4 incorporated hydrogel.•PXRD, EDX confirms the formation of spinel phase.•Biocompatibility of nanoparticle doped hydrogel.•Application of hydrogel composite for the dye removal and degradation. Polyacrylic acid hydrogel doped with copper ferrite nanoparticles has been prepared and studied for the removal and degradation of organic dye (methylene blue) from wastewater. Phase purity of nanoparticles was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis. Raman spectra showed three bands at Eg, F2g and A1g, attributing the formation of spinel phase with a band gap of 2.12 eV. Hydrogel composite showed an increase in weight by 1771% when soaked in water. Degradation and absorption studies of methylene blue dye solution with copper ferrite nanoparticles as well as hydrogel nanocomposite suggest absorption of dye by hydrogel and degradation with copper ferrite nanoparticles. Such hydrogel nanocomposites could be a promising material for mitigation of water pollution caused by organic dyes discharged by small and medium scale industries.