High efficiency removal of methylene blue using SDS surface-modified ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Hazardous organic dyes in wastewater pose environmental risks.
• Spinel ferrite nanomaterials show potential for dye removal.
• Particle agglomeration limits the efficiency of unmodified nanomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the adsorption capacity of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfonate (SDS) modified mesoporous ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for Methylene Blue (MB) removal.
• To understand the effect of SDS modification on nanoparticle surface area and adsorption performance.
• To explore the adsorption mechanism, kinetics, and thermodynamics.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of mesoporous ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles.
• Surface modification of nanoparticles using SDS.
• Adsorption experiments for MB removal from aqueous solutions.
• Analysis using Langmuir isotherm, pseudo-second-order kinetics, and thermodynamic studies.

Main Results:

• SDS-modified ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles exhibited a high maximum adsorption capacity of ~699.30 mg/g for MB.
• SDS modification increased the specific surface area by ~34% and enhanced electrostatic attraction to MB.
• Adsorption capacity increased with pH due to increased negative surface charge.
• Adsorption followed Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating spontaneous and exothermic physisorption.

Conclusions:

• SDS-modified ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles are highly effective for removing cationic organic dyes like MB from wastewater.
• Surface modification strategies are crucial for optimizing nanomaterial performance in environmental remediation.
• The study demonstrates a promising approach for wastewater treatment and dye contamination removal.