Fe-pillared montmorillonite functionalized chitosan/gelatin foams for efficient removal of organic pollutants by integration of adsorption and Fenton degradation

A Fe-pillared montmorillonite (Fe-MMT) functionalized bio-based foam (Fe-MMT@CS/G) was developed by using chitosan (CS) and gelatin (G) as the matrix for high-efficiency elimination of organic pollutants through the integration of adsorption and Fenton degradation. The results showed that the mechanical properties of as-obtained foam were strengthened by the addition of certain amounts of Fe-MMT. Interestingly, Fe-MMT@CS/G displayed efficient adsorption ability for charged pollutants under a wide range of pH. The adsorption processes of methyl blue (MB), methylene blue (MEB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) on Fe-MMT@CS/G were well described by the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 2208.24 mg/g for MB, 1167.52 mg/g for MEB, and 806.31 mg/g for TCH. Electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces probably involved the adsorption process. As expected, this foam could exhibit better removal properties toward both charged and uncharged organic pollutants through the addition of H2O2 to trigger the Fenton degradation reaction. For non-adsorbable and uncharged bisphenol A (BPA), the removal efficiency was dramatically increased from 1.20 % to 92.77 % after Fenton degradation. Additionally, it presented outstanding recyclability. These results suggest that Fe-MMT@CS/G foam is a sustainable and efficient green material for the alleviation of water pollution.