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Efficient Removal of Dyes from Aqueous Solution by Mesoporous Nanocomposite Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Microfibers

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Abstract

A novel mesoporous, nanocomposite, magnetically separable adsorbent, namely activated alumina (γ-Al2O3)/ferrite (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) microfibers have been successfully prepared by the sol–gel process. These nanocomposite γ-Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers are formed after calcination of the precursor at 450 °C for 3 h, and characterized with high aspect ratios and uniform diameters of 1–10 μm. In the nanocomposite γ-Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers, the spherical γ-Al2O3 particles are homogeneously embedded on the microfiber. Their specific surface areas and magnetic properties are significantly influenced by the γ-Al2O3 content and calcination conditions. With the designed γ-Al2O3 mass fraction of 0.2 and the calcination temperature of 550 °C, the γ-Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers possess a high specific surface area of 118.3 m2/g and saturation magnetization (M s) of 20.4 Am2 kg−1, respectively. The adsorption behaviors of the nanocomposite γ-Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers were examined using the Congo red and methyl blue dyes as the adsorbate. The adsorption kinetics, effects of the adsorbent dosage and solution pH, adsorption isotherms, and regeneration of the microfiber adsorbents were investigated. The pseudo-second-order model can be used to describe the adsorption kinetics. The resultant isotherm data are well fitted by the Temkin model, implying that the dyes adsorption on the γ-Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers is a multilayer adsorption combined with some degrees of chemical interactions. Considering the simple synthesis process, high adsorption and unique magnetic property, these mesoporous, magnetic, nanocomposite γ-Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers can be used as a highly efficient, fast, and convenient adsorbent for dyes removal.

Highlights

  • The magnetic mesoporous Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 microfibers were synthesized.

  • Adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms were investigated.

  • The separation, regeneration, and adsorption efficiency were enhanced.

The novel mesoporous, magnetic, nanocomposite-activated alumina (γ-Al2O3)/ferrite (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) microfiber adsorbents can be used as an efficient, fast, and convenient tool for dyes removal from wastewater.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 51274106 and 51202091), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Provincial Higher Education (grant no. 12KJA430001), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (grant no. 20103227110006), the Science and Technology Support Program of Jiangsu Province (grant nos. BE2012143 and BE2013071), the Jiangsu Province's Postgraduate Cultivation and Innovation Project (grant nos. CXZZ11_0557 and CXZZ13_0662), and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Advanced Materials, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

    Xinchun Yang, Zhou Wang, Maoxiang Jing, Ruijiang Liu, Lina Jin & Xiangqian Shen

  2. School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China

    Ruijiang Liu

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  1. Xinchun Yang
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  2. Zhou Wang
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  3. Maoxiang Jing
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  4. Ruijiang Liu
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  5. Lina Jin
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  6. Xiangqian Shen
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Correspondence to Xiangqian Shen.

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Yang, X., Wang, Z., Jing, M. et al. Efficient Removal of Dyes from Aqueous Solution by Mesoporous Nanocomposite Al2O3/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Microfibers. Water Air Soil Pollut 225, 1819 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1819-3

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