Robust removal of cationic dyes by zinc ferrite composites in single and ternary dye systems

Abstract

For the continuous economic growth and development of society, clean and safe water is the basic necessity. Therefore, it is necessary to treat contaminated water. Magnetic ferrite composites with bio-waste materials are less explored in the area of research, so these need to be focused. In present study, novel magnetic Zinc Ferrite Pine Cone composite was prepared and used for the efficient removal of Crystal Violet, Malachite Green and Methylene Blue (Dye) from aqueous solution in single and ternary dye system. Various characterization techniques such as FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy), EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) and BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller Analysis) are used for the structure elucidation of Zinc Ferrite and Zinc Ferrite Pine cone (Composite). Batch adsorption method was used for the removal of dyes in single and ternary dye system. Lagergren pseudo second order adsorption model fits best in the kinetic studies whereas, Langmuir adsorption isotherm showed better results with maximum adsorption capacity 76.33, 200 and 94.33 mg/g for single dye system and 9.46, 20.45 and 27.93 mg/g respectively in ternary dye system for dyes CV, MG and MB. Thermodynamic study confirmed about the spontaneous nature of adsorption process. The regeneration ability of the composite in both the systems was studied up to five cycles. So, it becomes clear that the composite (Zinc Ferrite Pine Cone) will work as best alternative for dyes removal in single and ternary dye system.