Interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels for removal of synthetic dyes: A comprehensive review

Treatment of wastewater containing synthetic dyes is essential owing to the potential risks of organic dyes on the ecological environments and public health. Consequently, the design and using of competent wastewater treatment technologies are necessary. The adsorption process is a promising method with low cost, reusability, high selectivity, and high performance. Various adsorbents are applied for removal of dyes from wastewater. In recent years, the adsorption process of synthetic dyes by interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and semi-IPNs hydrogels as adsorbents have attracted noteworthy attention because of their stability, high swelling capacity, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. IPNs can be fabricated in natural, synthetic, hybrid, and (nano-) composite forms. In this review, the removal of synthetic dyes from an aqueous media is examined by the adsorption process using semi-IPNs and IPNs hydrogels. The latest advancement in the preparation of semi-IPNs and IPNs hydrogels and their adsorption capacities for removal of synthetic dyes under experimental conditions have been explained. Finally, challenges and future perspectives about sorption process using semi-IPNs and IPNs hydrogels are investigated.