LAUSR

Abstract This study offers novel magnetic gel beads as an adsorbent containing bifunctional groups for cationic dye removal. The bifunctional composite gel beads were prepared from polyanetholesulfonic acid, alginate and magnetic zeolite (m-ALG/PESA), and characterized by FESEM-EDS, XRD, VSM, and TGA-FTIR. The adsorption capability of m-ALG/PESA beads was described using methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG). The maximum adsorption capacities of MB and MG onto m-ALG/PESA gel beads were 400 mg/g and 164 mg/g, respectively. Regeneration and reusability studies showed that both dyes were successfully desorbed from m-ALG/PESA gel beads with removal percentages approximately 90 in the first cycle and magnetic gel beads maintained their shapes after 10 times adsorption/desorption cycles in highly acidic conditions. It was also observed that MG was degraded during the desorption process. Therefore, the magnetic gel beads can be considered as a regenerable adsorbent making to the adsorption process is cost-effective and it is also biodegradable and environment-friendly material when used in pilot-scale applications.