Cobalt ferrite nanotubes and porous nanorods for dye removal

Abstract

<TEX>$CoFe_2O_4$</TEX> nanotubes and porous nanorods were prepared via a simple one-pot template-free hydrothermal method and were used as an adsorbent for the removal of dye contaminants from water. The properties of the synthesized nanotubes and porous nanorods were characterized by electron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray powder diffraction. The Adsorption characteristics of the <TEX>$CoFe_2O_4$</TEX> were examined using polar red dye and the factors affecting adsorption, such as, initial dye concentration, pH and contact time were evaluated. The overall trend followed an increase of the sorption capacity reaching a maximum of 95% dye removal at low pHs of 2-4. An enhancement in the removal efficiency was also noticed upon increasing the contact time between dye molecules and <TEX>$CoFe_2O_4$</TEX> nanoparticles. The final results indicated that the <TEX>$CoFe_2O_4$</TEX> nanotubes and porous nanorods can be considered as an efficient low cost and recyclable adsorbent for dye removal with efficiency 94% for Cobalt ferrite nanotubes and for Cobalt ferrite porous nanorods equals 95%.