Evaluation of physicochemical and thermal properties of pectin and starch aerogels and their absorption capacity of methylene blue

In this study, the potential of bio aerogel made from starch and pectin in wastewater treatment has been investigated. The effect of graphene oxide incorporation into this bio aerogel was also studied. The objectives of this study are physicochemical and thermal properties of starch and pectin aerogels incorporated with graphene oxide (GO) and their adsorption capacity of starch and pectin aerogels on methylene blue removal. The pectin and starch aerogels were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that incorporating GO produces more porous aerogel microstructures due to hydrogen bonding between the polymers and GO functional groups. GO addition also improved thermal stability and methylene blue uptake by providing more active adsorption sites. The optimal GO loading enhanced dye adsorption synergistically by increasing surface area and favorable interactions with methylene blue.Overall, the combination of pectin/starch with GO shows promise for developing sustainable and effective bio based aerogel adsorbents for dye removal from wastewater.