Removal of Cationic Dye by Magnetic Nanoparticle (Fe3O4) Impregnated onto Activated Maize Cob Powder and Kinetic Study of Dye Waste Adsorption

Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by chemical precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ salt from aqueous solution by ammonia solution. The aim of this present study was to investigate the feasibility of using activated maize cob coated with magnetic nanoparticles, ferric oxide (Fe3O4) for methylene blue (MB) adsorption. The adsorption of MB on activated maize cob coated with ferric oxide (Fe3O4-MCP) was studied as a function of solution pH (3-8), adsorbent dosage (0.2-1.0 g), initial concentration (100-250 mg/L) and contact time. Batch process was used to determine the influence of these parameters on the adsorption capacity. The study showed that the adsorption of MB dye was pH dependent and the higher efficiency of dye concentration removal was at pH 6.0. The kinetic experimental data fitted to the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models and were found to follow closely the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The results revealed that coating Fe3O4 on activated maize cob powder enhance the dye concentration removal in the adsorption process.