Abstract
New magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4)/activated charcoal (AC)/β-cyclodextrin (CD)/sodium alginate (Alg) polymer nanocomposite materials were prepared by direct mixing of the polymer matrix with the nanofillers. The obtained materials were utilized as nano-adsorbents for the elimination of methylene blue (MB), a hazardous water-soluble cationic dye, from aqueous solutions, and showed excellent regeneration capacity. The formation of the nanocomposites was followed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and adsorption of N2 at −196 °C. The rate of adsorption was investigated varying several factors, namely contact time, pH, amount of adsorbent and MB concentration on the adsorption process. Studies dealing with equilibrium and kinetics were carried out in batch conditions. The obtained results indicated that the removal rate of MB was 99.53% in 90 min. Langmuir’s isotherm fitted better to the equilibrium data of MB. Fe3O4/AC/CD/Alg polymer beads shows amazing adsorption capacities in the elimination of cationic dyes (2.079 mg/g for polymer gel beads and 10.63 mg g−1 for dry powder beads), in comparison to other adsorbent materials. The obtained adsorbent is spherical with hydrophobic cross-linked surface properties that enable an easy recovery without any significant weight loss of in the adsorbent used.
Highlights
Several contaminants with organic and inorganic nature end up often in water sources
Most of the research in Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 170 adsorptive removal of organics/inorganics has been focused on improving the performance of the materials and enhancing removal rates, [41,42] whereas, less work is carried out on the storage, disposal and reuse of adsorbate-loaded adsorbents, which we present in this paper
We found out that after drying the beads, the resultant powdered composite was easier to handle and store for later use, apart from showing an outstanding adsorption capacity
Summary
Several contaminants with organic and inorganic nature end up often in water sources. Synthetic dyes are often utilized for different purposes, like food coloring, textiles, paper, leather, cosmetics, medicines, inks for printing, paints, lacquers, soaps and lubricants [1] These dyes enter the water streams, heading to the sea, avoiding domestic and industrial effluents. Non-toxic, highly sensitive, low cost, effective, renewable and eco-friendly materials like three-dimensional, vertical platelets of ZnO carriers [16], monolithic scaffolds [17], having high adsorption capacity and good mechanical and thermal stability are a top research topic in purification of wastewater. Natural polymeric materials are presently gaining more attraction, being used as adsorbents in wastewater treatment, as they were found to be non-toxic and biodegradable [24]. The material is biocompatible, non-toxic, can efficiently be utilized for the adsorption of cationic dyes and is easy to regenerate
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
