Modelling and optimization of Victoria blue uptake using response surface methodology (RSM) with novel magnetic folic acid-mannitol/mosquito coil ash nanocomposite

Abstract

Recently, natural, and environmentally safe polymer-metal oxide hybrid nanocomposites have been increasingly noticed as cost-effective adsorbents for pollutant removal. In this context, a novel hybrid nanocomposite was prepared from a FAM copolymer synthesized by thermal poly-esterification and FAM-MCA/Fe3O4 obtained by the simple in-situ co-precipitation method. Following its structure elucidation using XRD, the nanomaterials were further characterized by FTIR and their surface analysis by using SEM-EDX, TEM and BET methods. The physicochemical characterization of the nanohybrid was accomplished and its performance and effectiveness in removing VB dye from simulated effluents was evaluated. The reaction surface method was used to optimize the operating conditions in terms of contact time (59.9 min), initial concentration VB (60 mg/L), dose of nanocomposite (0.15 g/L), and initial solution pH (6.0). The equilibrium results modelled with nonlinear isothermal and kinetic models complied well with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics with both intraparticle and film diffusion driving the adsorption process. The enhanced adsorption performance of the NC was demonstrated by the significantly higher Langmuir saturation capacity (FAM-MCA/Fe3O4: 279; Fe3O4: 244 mg VB /g) at 303 K compared to other previously reported adsorbents and the strong recyclability while maintaining the adsorption effectiveness of 61.46 % up to five consecutive cycles. Using the deduced thermodynamic parameters, an exothermic, spontaneous, and practicable VB elimination process was established. The adsorption process was principally controlled by electrostatic contact, Yoshida H-bonds, dipole-dipole, n-π stacking, cation-π and, π-π interactions. A complete cost study was performed to assess the economic viability of the adsorbents. FAM-MCA/Fe3O4 was discovered to be the most affordable (551 INR/kg) approach for VB removal. The investigative findings unveiled that the as synthesized hybrid nanocomposite was a potent adsorbent for effective and efficient liquid-phase amputation of VB.