Ultrasound-assisted removal of Imidacloprid from aqueous solutions using carboxymethyl cellulose-based bionanocomposite hydrogel beads (CMC/Fe3O4-Zeolite): Emphasis on effects Fe3O4-Zeolite nanoparticles and ultrasound

Abstract

In the present work, carboxymethyl cellulose-based bionanocomposite hydrogel beads with diverse concentration ratios of Fe3O4-Zeolite were produced and used for the removal of Imidacloprid from an aqueous solution. Optimization of various factors such as Imidacloprid initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH solution, and sonicating time (42 kHz) affecting Imidacloprid removal was evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum values for these parameters were obtained at 38 mg L−1, 1.9 g L−1, 7, and 19 min, respectively. The adsorption process of Imidacloprid by CMC/Fe3O4-Zeolite20 is multilayer adsorption (Jossens model) and was controlled by internal and external diffusion (double-exponential model). Additionally, the study of the ultrasonic effect on Imidacloprid removal performance showed that the ultrasound combined with adsorption significantly reduces the equilibration time. Also, the adsorption and desorption study showed that the adsorbent with high stability in adsorption performance was recycled in 6 cycles without a significant reduction in adsorption efficiency. And finally, the removal performance of CMC/Fe3O4-Zeolite20 was studied on the real wastewater samples and confirmed the feasibility of adsorbent for practical applications in industrial purposes.