Rapid Removal of Acid Red 88 by Zeolite/Chitosan Hydrogel in Aqueous Solution

In the present study, we developed a new adsorbent product with zeolite crosslinked chitosan (ZL–CH hydrogel) to remove acid red 88 (AR88) in an aqueous solution. The effects of several factors, such as the comparison of ZL–CH hydrogel and the absence of chitosan, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial AR88 concentration, contact time, and ion strength, were determined. Obtained results showed that ZL–CH hydrogel improved AR88 removal compared to the absence of chitosan, with an adsorption capacity of 332.48 mg/g in equilibrium time of 1 min, and adding ionic strength had no significant effect. However, with optimal conditions at pH 2.0, dry ZL–CH became hydrogel due to protonation of amino and hydroxyl groups through hydrogen bonds in the AR88 solution. Volume fraction and interaction force decreased with increasing porosity, leading to an increase in adsorption capacity and swelling ratio. Experimental data of the adsorption process showed the Freundlich isotherm model. The equilibrium for adsorption and swelling kinetics studies showed and fitted a pseudo-second-order model. NaOH was successful as a desorbing agent with 93.8%, and it followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The recycling process indicates great potential for AR88 removal.