Adsorption Performance of Methyl Blue onto Magnetic Ni(1−x−y)CuyZnxFe2O4 Nanoparticles Prepared by A Novel Alcohol-Assisted Combustion Method

Abstract

In this work, magnetic Ni(1−x−y)CuyZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by an alcohol-assisted combustion method, and they were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED and EDX techniques. For larger adsorption capacity, the preparation conditions of absolute alcohol volume and the calcination temperature were optimized. The magnetic Ni0.4Cu0.4Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles were employed to research the adsorption performance of methyl blue (MB) onto them, and they revealed very large adsorption capacity of MB. The adsorption kinetics data were evaluated with the pseudo first-order, the pseudo second-order and the intraparticle diffusion models, and the results showed that the intraparticle diffusion kinetics model was best fitted for the adsorption of MB onto magnetic Ni0.4Cu0.4Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles. While, the adsorption isotherm experiments were carried out at room temperature, and the experimental data conformed to the Langmuir model, which suggested that the adsorption of MB onto magnetic Ni0.4Cu0.4Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles was the monolayer adsorption process. Additionally, the effect of pH on the adsorption of MB was studied, the adsorbed materials reached the maximum adsorption capacity at pH value of 3. The magnetic adsorbents showed good reusability, and the adsorption capacity was maintained over 87% of the initial capacity after being used for five cycles. Magnetic Ni(1−x−y)CuyZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by an alcohol-assisted combustion method, the experimental data of the adsorption kinetics and the adsorption isotherm was fitted for the adsorption of methyl blue (MB) onto magnetic Ni0.4Cu0.4Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanoparticles, and the adsorption mechanism was discussed