Characterization and Evaluation of Zeolite A/Fe₃O₄Nanocomposite as a Potential Adsorbent for Removal of Organic Molecules from Wastewater

Abstract

In this work, zeolite (Z) and Z-Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite (Z-Fe 3 O 4 NC) have been synthesized. The Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized using the extract from maize leaves and ferric and ferrous chloride salts and encapsulated into the zeolite framework. The nanocomposite (Z-Fe 3 O 4 NC) was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The potential of Z-Fe 3 O 4 NC as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue molecules (MB) from solution was examined using UV-Vis and kinetic and equilibrium isotherm models. The adsorption data fitted best with the pseudo-second-order model and Weber and Morris model, indicating that the adsorption process was chemisorption, while the Weber and Morris described the rate-controlling steps. The intraparticle diffusion model suggests that the adsorption processes were pore and surface diffusion controlled. The Langmuir isotherm model best describes the adsorption process indicating homogeneous monolayer coverage of MB molecules onto the surface of the Z-Fe 3 O 4 NC. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity was 2.57 mg/g at 25°C. The maximum adsorption efficiency was 97.5%. After regeneration, the maximum adsorption efficiency achieved at a pH of 7 was 82.6%.