Adsorption of Cu (II) Ion through Functionalized Nylon 66 and their Utilization as Photocatalyst for the Photodegradation of Eriochrome Black T Dye in Aqueous Medium

Removal of toxic pollutants such as heavy metals and dyes from water has received great attention due to a significant decline in the clean water level, worldwide. Herein, we attempted to remove both metals and dyes using a single material. Nylon 66 (nylon) films were prepared and then functionalized with nitric acid. The functionalized nylon 66 (F-nylon) was utilized for the adsorption of copper (II) (Cu(II)) ions from an aqueous solution. The adsorption study revealed the efficient adsorption of Cu (II) ions through F-nylon. Moreover, the adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms, and the values are best fitted to Langmuir isotherm as compared with Freundlich isotherm. The nylon 66, F-nylon, and Cu/F-nylon were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM of F-nylon samples showed highly porous surface and membrane-like appearance that is suitable for the metal adsorption. The EDX analysis confirmed the overall elemental composition of the adsorbed copper on F-nylon surface. FTIR was helpful to confirm the introduction of new functional groups after modification of nylon, while TGA analysis demonstrated significant thermal stability of all samples. The copper adsorbed F-nylon 66 (Cu/F-nylon) was further utilized as a photocatalyst for the photodegradation of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) dye. Cu/F-nylon and recovered Cu/F-nylon films degraded about 93 and 89.3 % EBT dye within 240 min, respectively. The optimum conditions for EBT photodegradation were pH 6, 0.05 g photocatalyst dosage, and an initial dye concentration of 60 ppm.