Sustainable Water Decontamination: A Modified Gum Tragacanth‐Gelatin Hydrogel for Efficient Removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

This study reports the development of a biodegradable hydrogel, synthesized from gelatin and dialdehyde gum tragacanth (Gel/DGT), for the effective removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated water. The hydrogel was prepared by crosslinking dialdehyde gum tragacanth (DGT), obtained via periodate oxidation of gum tragacanth, with gelatin through covalent Schiff‐base linkages (–C═N–). The resulting Gel/DGT hydrogel exhibited robust mechanical strength, high swelling capacity (400% at pH 7 and 25°C), and significant biodegradability (94.67% within 30 days). Its rough surface morphology, high surface area, and abundant functional groups facilitated efficient adsorption of PAHs, achieving removal efficiencies of 97.5% for phenanthrene (Phen), 70.0% for acenaphthene (Ace), and 58.0% for naphthalene (Nap). Adsorption data best conformed to the Freundlich isotherm model ( R 2 > 0.98), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 500 mg/g for Phen. These findings demonstrate the Gel/DGT hydrogel as a sustainable, high‐capacity adsorbent for mitigating persistent organic pollutants in aqueous systems, offering advantages over conventional remediation methods.