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Methylene blue (MB) is classified as a cationic dye which is widely used as chemical indicator, coloring agent and biological stain. The discharge of this dye to the water streams is harmful to the human beings. For this reason, this study investigated the removal of MB from aqueous solution by hydrogel nanocomposite.

In experimental part, at first, ultraviolet (UV)-curable hydrogel/chitosan nanocomposite, which improves its elasticity by urethane acrylate, was synthesized and characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. Afterward, the synthesized hydrogel nanocomposite was applied for the removal of MB and the influence of operational condition including nanocomposite loading, dye concentration, contact time and pH of solution was specified. Moreover, isotherm studies as well as kinetics survey were performed.

Langmuir, Freundlich, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller and Tempkin adsorption isotherms were assessed for the analysis of experimental data indicating the Freundlich isotherm was the best fitted one. The adsorption kinetics data was examined indicating the adsorption kinetics appropriate to pseudo-second-order kinetics model.

The predominant water absorption property of the UV-curable hydrogel/chitosan nanocomposite to 8.5 steps and outstanding adsorption capacity for the elimination of MB on hydrogel nanocomposite subscribed that the synthesized hydrogel could be a favorable adsorbent for simultaneous absorption of water and removal of cationic dyes.