Synthesis and characterization of a biodegradable Cellulose acetate-montmorillonite composite for effective adsorption of Eosin Y

Cellulose extracted from the rhizomes of Alpinia nigra was utilized in the synthesis of cellulose acetate. Furthermore, the cellulose acetate reacted with organophillic montmorillonite to form a composite. All the products including cellulose, cellulose acetate and the composite were characterized with the help of standard analytical techniques. The synthesised composite was effectively used as an adsorbent for the toxic dye Eosin Y which is a common waste water effluent The influence of different parameters such as contact time, temperature and effect of initial concentration of dye on the adsorption process was investigated. Moreover the cellulose acetate-montmorillonite composite was biodegradable which was confirmed from a compost test conducted for a period of six months. These results clearly indicate that cellulose acetate-montmorillonite composite is an interesting alternative for the treatment of waste water effluents.