Grafted Chitosan‐Vanillin/Silicon Carbide Composite for Methyl Orange Dye Adsorption

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the functionalization and grafting of chitosan with vanillin and silicon carbide (SiC) to develop a multifunctional organic–inorganic composite adsorbent (denoted as chitosan‐vanillin/silicon carbide [CHT‐VAN/SiC]). The CHT‐VAN/SiC material was characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS). The CHT‐VAN/SiC was applied for the efficient removal of the anionic dye (methyl orange, MO) from aqueous environments. Optimization of the adsorption conditions was conducted using the Box–Behnken design, targeting dosage (0.02–0.1 g), pH (4–10), and duration (10–60 min). The maximum MO adsorption capacity reached 163.4 mg/g. Optimization using the Box–Behnken experimental design (BBD) identified the optimal conditions for maximum dye removal—an adsorbent dosage of 0.08 g, solution pH of ∼4, and a contact time of 56 min—achieving a removal efficiency of 87.82%. These results highlight the CHT‐VAN/SiC composite as a promising multifunctional adsorbent for the treatment of dye‐contaminated industrial effluents.