Nanostructured Ag/CuO-Loaded Sodium Alginate Hydrogel Beads: A Green Platform for Efficient Photocatalytic Dye Remediation

Efficient removal of dyes from the ecosystem has become critical to maintain toxicity-free water bodies. Glycine max extracted Ag/CuO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized, and solutions of different concentrations were prepared. These Ag/CuO NPs were loaded onto Na-alginate hydrogel beads employing sol-gel method. These hydrogel beads carrying NPs hybrid naming (NPs@HB) were characterized using FTIR, SEM, and XRD techniques that confirmed the formation of hydrogel beads with varying morphology. The NPs-loaded hydrogel beads were used for the adsorptive removal of methyl orange (MO) dye from aqueous solution. The highest percentage removal of the dye (81%) was recorded for the hydrogel beads (2 g) carrying maximum metal NPs. Loading of metal NPs improved the dye removal efficiency of hydrogel material. In addition, the effect of different parameters, including adsorbent dose, agitation speed, and pH, was evaluated for the removal of dye using NPs@HB as an adsorbent. Results revealed that highest agitation (300 rpm) did not favor, and maximum removal was observed at 200 rpm. Keeping in view the results of current study, hydrogel beads impregnated with metal NPs can be the best candidate for the removal of toxic pollutants from aqueous medium.