Magnetic ferrite nanoparticle–alginate composite: Synthesis, characterization and binary system dye removal

In this paper, magnetic ferrite nanoparticle (nickle–zinc ferrite) (MFN)–alginate composite was synthesized and characterized. Dye removal ability of MFN–alginate from single and binary systems was studied. The characteristics of MFN–alginate were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR). Basic Blue 9 (BB9), Basic Blue 41 (BB41) and Basic Red 18 (BR18) were used as model dyes. The effect of MFN–alginate dosage and pH on dye removal was elucidated. The dye adsorption isotherm and kinetics were studied. It was found that BB9, BB41 and BR18 followed the Tempkin, Langmuir, and Langmuir isotherms, respectively. The maximum dye adsorption capacity (Q0) of MFN–alginate was 106 mg/g, 25 mg/g, and 56 mg/g for BB9, BB41 and BR18, respectively. The intraparticle diffusion kinetics was the dominant dye adsorption kinetics model. The results showed that the MFN–alginate might be used as an eco-friendly adsorbent to remove dyes from colored wastewater.

► Magnetic ferrite nanoparticle (MFN)–alginate composite was synthesized and characterized.
► The adsorption of BB9, BB41 and BR18 onto MFN–alginate followed the Tempkin, Langmuir, and Langmuir isotherms, respectively.
► The Q0 of MFN–alginate was 106, 25, and 56 mg/g for BB9, BB41 and BR18, respectively.
► The intraparticle diffusion kinetics was the dominant dye adsorption kinetics model.