Poly(butyl methacrylate)‐grafted alginate/Fe3O4 nanocomposite: Synthesis and its application for removal of dyes

• Published in: Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society (Taipei) Vol. 67; no. 11; pp. 2019 - 2031
• Main Authors: Alzahrani, Eman, Abo‐Dief, Hala M., Algethami, Faouzia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 01.11.2020; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adsorbents; Adsorption; adsorption isotherm; Alginates; Aqueous solutions; biopolymer; Copolymerization; Diffraction patterns; Dyes; Electron microscopy; Fe3O4 NPs; Fourier transforms; Free radicals; Graft copolymers; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Iron oxides; Microscopy; nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Polybutyl methacrylates; sodium alginate
• ISSN: 0009-4536; 2192-6549
• DOI: 10.1002/jccs.202000041

This study involved the utilization of a free radical‐graft copolymerization reaction for the development of a novel adsorbent, namely, poly(butyl methacrylate)‐grafted alginate/Fe3O4 nanocomposite (PBMA‐gft‐Alg/Fe3O4). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, X‐ray diffraction patterns analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) were carried out for the characterization of Fe3O4 NPs and PBMA‐gft‐Alg/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The capability of nanocomposites and nanoparticles to adsorb dyes such as MG and MB, resulting in their removal from aqueous media, was evaluated under different conditions such as pH, temperature, contact time, and dose of adsorbent. Optimum parameters for adsorption of dyes were found to be pH of 10, 50°C, contact time of 180 min, and 0.2 g of adsorbent. Efficiency of the PBMA‐gft‐Alg/Fe3O4 nanocomposite was found to be significantly greater than that of Fe3O4 NPs for eliminating the desired dye. Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, and Temkin models were used for testing the experimental data. Freundlich model was the one that best described the adsorption. The UV‐Vis spectra of MG and MB in aqueous solution prior to adsorption and following adsorptionover Fe3O4 NPs and PBMA‐gft‐Alg/Fe3O4 nanocomposite.