Synthesis, characterization and adsorption properties of Cu2V2O7 nanoparticles

Abstract

Herein, we focused on liquid phase adsorptive removal of the organic dye Congo red using Cu2V2O7 nanoparticles as the adsorbent, which is synthesized by a simple precipitation method. The characterization of the adsorbent is carried out using conventional techniques like powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and BET surface area analysis. N2 adsorption-desorption measurements were carried out to analyze the porous structure and surface area of the adsorbent and results revealed that the adsorbent is mesoporous with a specific surface area of 26.38 m2 g−1. Batch experiments indicated that solution pH, initial dye concentration, contact time, temperature and adsorbent dosage had a prominent impact on the dye removal process. The adsorbent shows its better performance (Removal efficiency of 82%) at 30 °C with a dye concentration of 1.5 × 10−5 M and adsorbent dosage of 30 mg at pH 5. The adsorption kinetic data were found to be in accordance with pseudo-second-order kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters are calculated. The mechanistic interaction of the adsorbate-adsorbent system was also interpreted. From attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies it was concluded that Congo red was chemisorbed on Cu2V2O7. The investigation of adsorption isotherms suggested that the data fitted the Langmuir isotherm model. Desorption study was done using 0.6 M NaOH. It also shows a high desorption efficiency which indicates a possible regeneration of the adsorbent. These results show that Cu2V2O7 is a promising candidate in wastewater treatment.