Contamination

Engineering

Nuclear chemistry

Organic chemistry

Inorganic chemistry

Chemistry

Ecology

Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide

Chitosan

Fluoride

Chemical engineering

Chromium

Biology

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

Here we demonstrate, chitosan–sodium alginate based bionanomaterial scaffolds (BMS) with in situ functionalized alumina hydroxide forming scaffold like structure and its application in removal of fluoride (F–), chromium (Cr(VI)), and dye from water. Further, the bionanomaterial scaffold surface was modified with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to enhance the shelf life of the bionanomaterial scaffold (BMS). This Ag NP-coated BMS exhibited as high as ∼168 and ∼60 mg g–1 fluoride uptake efficiency at pH 4 and 7, respectively. Experiments were also carried out to check the chromium removal efficiency, and results showed ∼8.5 mg g–1 of Cr(VI) uptake capacity was achieved from contaminated water at room temperature. Further, over 99% Reactive Black 5 (RB-5) removal was achieved with remarkable surface regeneration properties. To test the end user affordability, the bionanomaterial was packed both in a columnlike filter cake and tea-baglike pouches in a series of experiments. This study demonstrates a viable and sustainable solution for removal of fluoride, chromium, and color contaminants from contaminated water streams.

Bionanomaterial Scaffolds for Effective Removal of Fluoride, Chromium, and Dye