Modeling of azo dyes adsorption on magnetic NiFe₂O₄/RGO nanocomposite using response surface methodology

Azo group dyes are the largest group of synthetics dyes that widely used in industries, especially in textile industry. The presence of these organic compounds in wastewaters and their discharge into environment without efficient treatment may cause adverse effect on human, living and aquatic environment. The purpose of this study was to optimize the adsorption of azo dye of Direct Red 81 (anionic dye) and Basic Blue 41 (cationic dye) from aqueous solution onto magnetic NiFe₂O₄/RGO nanocomposite.

In this study the response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD), was used to optimization and modeling of adsorption process DR81 and BB41 dye on NiFe₂O₄/RGO. in order to investigating the effect of the operating parameters on the adsorption efficiency DR81 and BB41, four influential factors were chosen that includes of pH (3-9), contact time (5-25 min), adsorbent amount (0.02-0.05 g) and initial dye concentration (40-200 mg/L). A total of 30 experiments were performed for each dye in this study. The concentration of dye in solution was measured by spectrophotometer. The structure of synthesized adsorbent was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform irradiation (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that regression model for both dye adsorption with value of P value <0.001 is significant statistically. The correlation coefficient (R²) for DR81 (R² = 0.9968) and BB41 (R² = 0.9948) indicated which there is a good agreement between predicted values and the results of the experiments and the model also well predict the adsorption efficiency. Furthermore, the factors of pH, dye concentration and adsorbent dose, have the greatest effect on adsorption, respectively, while contact time have the lowest effect on adsorption of both dyes. The adsorption behavior of the DR81 and BB41 onto NiFe₂O₄/RGO was best described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, respectively. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of DR81 (96.41%) was found to be at pH 3, contact time 19.68 min, adsorbent dose 0.02 g and initial dye concentration 40 mg/L. However, the optimum conditions for maximum removal of BB41 (97.87%) was found to be at pH 9 contact time 18.16 min, adsorbent dose 0.02 g and initial dye concentration 40 mg/L.

The present study shows that magnetic NiFe₂O₄/RGO nanocomposite have much potential as a powerful adsorbent for the rapid adsorption of anionic (DR81) and cationic dyes (BB41) from aqueous solution.