A novel
quaternary cationic pillar[5]arene-modified zeolite (WPA5/zeolite)
was prepared via charge interaction between the cationic WPA5 and
natural zeolite and characterized by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction,
solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric (TG)
analysis. The effects of zeolite particle size, WPA5 concentration,
adsorption time, initial concentration, and pH on the removal of methyl
orange (MO) were studied. The SEM and XRD results revealed a strong
interaction between WPA5 and natural zeolite, and the modified composites
showed novel microscopic morphology and structural properties. TG
analysis indicated excellent thermal stability of the composite. MO
was removed via electrostatic adsorption, and the removal efficiency
was 84% at an initial concentration of 100 mg/L. Increase in the initial
dye concentration enhanced the adsorption capacity of WPA5/zeolite
and decreased the removal of MO. Based on the adsorption kinetics,
the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.998)
described the kinetic behavior of MO on WPA5/zeolite. In addition,
UV and fluorescence spectra revealed that MO and WPA5 are complexed
by a 1:1 complex ratio, and the binding constant between them was
12 595 L·mol–1. NMR and molecular docking
also verified their interaction. Therefore, the potential application
of the prepared composite includes removal of organic anionic dyes.