Application of magnetite nanoparticle-modified walnut shell as an adsorbent for the removal of the organic dye Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 Scientific paper

Abstract

In this research, a magnetic nanocomposite, walnut shell@Fe₃O₄, was synthesized as a natural adsorbent for the removal of Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) R-250 organic dye from aqueous solutions, achieving a remarkable removal efficiency of 96.16 %. The morphology of the nanocomposite was characterized using SEM and FTIR, revealing particle sizes of less than 18 nm. Additionally, BET analysis was performed, indicating a high surface area that enhances adsorption capacity. The influential variables affecting dye removal, including solution pH, stirring time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concen­tration, temperature and ionic strength, were optimized. The adsorption process was analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. The experimental results indicated that the process followed the Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models, suggesting the heterogeneous nat­ure of the adsorbent surface. The kinetic conditions of adsorption were inves­tigated using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second-order models, with results showing that the adsorption process of CBB followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating the chemical adsorption of the dye onto the magnetic nanoparticles. The thermodynamic studies also revealed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process, with a positive slope of the Van’t Hoff curve indic­ating an exothermic reaction. Due to the equilibrium time of 5 min in the ads­orption mechanism, the synthesized magnetic nanocomposite demonstrated a high CBB dye removal rate, making it suitable for treating dye-containing solutions.