Synthesis and characterization of magnetic oxide nanoparticle-impregnated natural clay for environmental remediation: Removal of Acid Fuschin from medical laboratory wastewater through adsorption

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach to utilizing natural clay, specifically those with high smectite content, impregnated with magnetic oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) for Acid Fuschin Dye (AFD) adsorption from aqueous solutions. The results indicate that Fe3O4-Natural Clay demonstrated significant potential for AFD removal through traditional adsorption processes. The effective Magnetic Oxide Nanoparticle-impregnated Natural Clay (MON) was characterized using XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, and N2 adsorption-desorption techniques, confirming a porous surface structure with a high surface area. The adsorption capacity of AFD for MON was found to reach equilibrium after 60 to 120 minutes, with an initial pH of 9. The Pseudo-Second-Order model accurately described the chemisorption process of AFD adsorption, while the Freundlich isotherm model consistently provided a better fit for the data than the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic analysis of the MON adsorbent revealed that adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous, with entropic changes at the solid-liquid interface. The results suggest that the adsorption of AFD dye was favorable for the system's enthalpy but unfavorable for its entropy. Given the high surface area and enhanced adsorption capacity of MON, it shows great potential as a promising adsorbent for AFD removal in wastewater treatment.