Preparation, characterization and dye adsorption properties of γ-Fe2O3/SiO2/chitosan composite

► γ-Fe2O3/SiO2/chitosan composite was prepared by water-in-oil emulsification method. ► Adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. ► The intraparticle diffusion was related to the adsorption but not as a sole rate-controlling step. ► The equilibrium adsorption data was well described by Freundlich isotherm model. ► The adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature.