Activated Carbon Impregnated Hydrogel For Water Purification

Abstract

Access to clean and safe water continues to be a major global concern, especially due to growing contamination from household, industrial, and agricultural activities. This research focuses on creating and utilizing a novel material—Activated Carbon-Infused Hydrogel (ACIH)—designed to improve water purification processes. ACIH synergistically combines the excellent adsorption properties of activated carbon with the porous, moisture-retaining structure of hydrogel, offering a sustainable and efficient solution for removing various pollutants from contaminated water sources. In this study, the hydrogel matrix was synthesized using chitosan as the primary biopolymer, while the activated carbon component was derived from tamarind shell waste, promoting both sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The performance of ACIH was tested specifically on kitchen wastewater, targeting a range of contaminants including physical (turbidity), chemical (pH, conductivity, hardness, chloride, fluoride), and biological (BOD and COD) parameters.

The treatment results showed significant improvements in water quality. Turbidity levels decreased from 61 NTU to 8 NTU, BOD values dropped from 33 mg/L to 15 mg/L, and fluoride concentrations were brought within acceptable standards. Optimization experiments revealed that the most effective configuration included a hydrogel layer thickness of 6 cm and an activated carbon dosage of 1.5 grams. Additionally, the ACIH material proved to be reusable through regeneration techniques, reinforcing its potential for long-term and cost-efficient use. The study concludes that ACIH presents a promising, eco-friendly alternative to traditional filtration methods, particularly suited for decentralized and small-scale water treatment systems.