Removal of cationic and anionic dyes from water by a novel magnetic poly(vinyl alcohol)/modified gum tragacanth/graphene oxide hydrogel bead

Novel magnetic hydrogel beads based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-1-vinyl imidazole)-g-gum tragacanth/graphene oxide [PVA/poly(AMPS-co-VI)-g-GT/GO] were prepared by instantaneous gelation method in boric acid solution followed by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA). The prepared magnetic beads were characterized and used as an effective adsorbent for removal of both cationic (crystal violet, CV) and anionic (congo red, CR) dyes from aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacities were found 94.0 and 101.74 mg g-1 for CV and CR, respectively. Reusability of the magnetic beads was carried out successfully in the acidic solution, without significant loss of their activities. Therefore, these magnetically recyclable beads can be considered as efficient and low cost adsorbent for the removal of cationic and anionic dyes from water