DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v25i1.143

Keywords: Sorption; Fe3O4; bentonite; bemacid blue dye; magnetic nanocomposite

Abstract

Magnetic nanocomposite materials have attracted increasing interest for their use in various scientific applications, including separation processes. The present study investigated the adsorption of the anthraquinone dye Bemacid Blue (BB-dye) on magnetic bentonite (M-Bt) intercalated with iron oxide (Fe3O4). The structural and morphological characteristics of the adsorbent were analysed by SEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, and pHPZC techniques. Batch kinetic and equilibrium experiments were conducted to assess the effect of the system variables, i.e., contact time, initial pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and temperature. The results showed that the adsorption of the BB-dye was maximal in an acidic medium at pH ≤ 2.5. The adsorption was analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isothermal models. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were found to be in good agreement with pseudo 2nd order kinetics and the Langmuir model. From the calculated thermodynamic parameters, the sorption was a spontaneous and exothermic process. Regeneration tests revealed that the magnetic sorbent could be recycled and reused for up to three successive cycles. These results indicate that the prepared nanocomposite M-Bt could be used for BB-dye removal in wastewater treatment considering its advantages such as cost, simplicity of preparation and environmental friendliness.