Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles-decorated halloysite nanotubes/poly([2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride) hybrid nanoparticles for removal of Sunset Yellow from water

Abstract

Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized on the surface of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) through co-precipitation approach and the achieved nanocomposites were employed as the support of surface polymerization of [2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (AETAC) to obtain a hybrid adsorbent for removal of Sunset Yellow from wastewater. The resulting magnetic nanocomposite was assessed by several characterizations. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the synthesis of Fe3O4 MNPs on HNTs. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images showed that spherical Fe3O4 MNPs were successfully synthesized and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of Fe element in nanocomposite structure. The solid adsorbent was prepared by the aid of the magnetic HNTs as the support. The vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was employed for assessment of the magnetic properties of the magnetic HNTs and the solid polymeric adsorbent. The Freundlich isotherm model was fitted the experimented data better than Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the multi-layer adsorption of the dye to the polymeric adsorbent. The polymeric adsorbent had facile elution procedure by the aid of NaCl solution of 1 M. The prepared adsorbent showed fast separation kinetic, reaching equilibrium in about 15 min. and high absorption capacity of 33.8 µmol/g at room temperature, which made this adsorbent a good candidate for industrial wastewater treatment procedures.