Design of a Montmorillonite Clay Crosslinked β‐Cyclodextrin and Tamarind Kernel Powder Nanocomposite as a Multifunctional System for Effective Adsorption of Heavy‐Metals and Dyes

ABSTRACT The treatment of wastewater containing heavy metal ions and dyes is essential due to its considerable environmental contamination. A novel nanocomposite (β‐CD/MMT/TKP) featuring chemically crosslinked networks was synthesized by combining β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), tamarind kernel powder (TKP), and montmorillonite (MMT), demonstrating exceptional efficacy in the removal of cationic dye (malachite green [MG]), anionic dye (biebrich scarlet [BS]), and heavy metal ions [Cu(II) and Cr(VI)]. β‐CD/MMT/TKP exhibited a porous morphology with the MMT lamellae being exfoliated and distributed. The adsorption processes were effectively predicted by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic models. The highest adsorption capacities of β‐CD/MMT/TKP for MG, BS, Cu(II), and Cr(VI) were 191, 912, 900, and 930 mg/g at 30°C, respectively. The examination of Fourier transforms infrared spectra revealed that host–guest interactions were important in the adsorption process, and intermolecular forces also had a substantial function. The oxygen atoms were also involved in chelation with metal ions. The adsorption efficiency remained 81% and 88% for MG and BS, respectively, for five cycles, and for Cu(II) and Cr(VI), remained 84% and 83% after six cycles, respectively. The β‐CD/MMT/TKP nanocomposite exhibits significant potential in the treatment of wastewater, capable of simultaneously eliminating cationic dyes, anionic dyes, and heavy metal ions.