Use of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin/polyethylene glycol 400, modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles for congo red removal

Fe3O4 nanoparticles were modified with Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) by a facile one-pot homogeneous precipitation method, and were used as a novel nano-adsorbent for the removal of congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions. The polymer-modified composites were characterized by FTIR, TEM, TGA, XRD and VSM, and showed excellent adsorption efficiency for CR. The value of the maximum adsorption capacity calculated according to the Langmuir isotherm model were 1.895 g/g, which are much high and about 19 times that of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Desorption study further indicates the good regeneration ability of the nanocomposites. The results suggest that the HP-β-CD/PEG400-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles is a promising adsorbent for CR removal from aqueous solutions, and it is easily recycled owing to its large specific surface area and unique magnetic responsiveness.