Synthesis and Characterization of Environmentally Friendly β-Cyclodextrin Cross-Linked Cellulose/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels for Adsorption of Malathion.

The widespread use of malathion enhances agricultural plant productivity by eliminating pests, weeds, and diseases, but it may lead to serious environmental pollution and potential health risks for humans and animals. To mitigate these issues, environmentally friendly hydrogel adsorbents for malathion were synthesized using biodegradable polymers, specifically cellulose, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and biobased epichlorohydrin as a cross-linker. This study investigated the effects of the cellulose-to-PVA ratio and epichlorohydrin (ECH) content on the properties and malathion adsorption capabilities of β-CD/cellulose/PVA hydrogels.