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Synthesis of novel ZnAl2O4/Al2O3 nanocomposite by sol–gel method and its application as adsorbent

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
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Abstract

In this research, ZnAl2O4/Al2O3 nanocomposites with different ZnAl2O4 (30, 50, and 70 wt.%) were successfully prepared in one step by sol–gel method and utilized for the removal of methylene blue (MB). The structural properties of nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), FTIR analysis, Zeta potential, and BET. The obtained results showed the synthesized nanocomposites by sol–gel method were amorphous and heat treatment at 700 °C led to the crystallization of zinc aluminate spinel. The maximum MB removal (70%) was obtained under o9 ptimal conditions such as initial concentration of MB (10 mg/L), pH of solution (8.5), the amount of adsorbent (0.05 g), type of adsorbent (70 wt.% ZnAl2O4/Al2O3 nanocomposite). The average size of zinc aluminate crystals in the maximum amount of zinc aluminate in the composite (70 wt.%) was calculated to be 27 ± 1 nm and its morphology changed from sheet to mass. The specific surface area of the nanocomposite was calculated to be 70 m2/g. The kinetics of adsorption was fitted with the pseudo-second order model.

Highlights

  • ZnAl2O4/Al2O3 nanocomposites with different ZnAl2O4 were synthesized in one step by sol–gel method.

  • The specific surface area of Al2O3 –70 wt.% ZnAl2O4 nanocomposite was calculated to be 70 m2/g.

  • The highest adsorption efficiency MB (72%) was obtained from 10 mg/L initial solution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

    A. Saffar, H. Abbastabar Ahangar & A. Rabbani

  2. Advanced Materials Research Center, Department of Materials Engineering, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

    Shahriyar Salehi

  3. Department of Chemistry, Ayatollah Borujerdi University, Borujerd, Iran

    M. H. Fekri

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  1. A. Saffar
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  2. H. Abbastabar Ahangar
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Correspondence to A. Saffar.

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Saffar, A., Ahangar, H.A., Salehi, S. et al. Synthesis of novel ZnAl2O4/Al2O3 nanocomposite by sol–gel method and its application as adsorbent. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 99, 158–168 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05559-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05559-1

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