Anchored Chitosan-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles for Crystal Violet Decolorization from Aqueous Samples

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Fabrication of silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2-CS MNPs) functionalized with 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (TESPIC).
• Characterization of synthesized MNPs using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and TEM.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the efficacy of Fe3O4@SiO2-CS-TESPIC MNPs for decolorizing Crystal Violet (CV) cationic dye.
• Optimize dye removal efficiency using the Taguchi fractional factorial design method.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2-CS-TESPIC MNPs.
• Application of Taguchi L16 array for optimizing CV dye removal.
• Analysis of adsorption kinetics and isotherms using pseudo-second-order and Freundlich models.
• Comparison of isotherm models using MATLAB's fmincon function.

Main Results:

• Achieved 98.2% CV dye removal under optimized conditions: 0.12 g adsorbent, pH 4, 0.05 mol L-1 NaCl, 30 min stirring.
• Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.999).
• Adsorption equilibrium was best described by the Freundlich isotherm model.
• Demonstrated recyclability and reusability of the Fe3O4@SiO2-CS-TESPIC MNPs.

Conclusions:

• Fe3O4@SiO2-CS-TESPIC MNPs are effective adsorbents for removing CV dye from aqueous solutions.
• The study provides an optimized method for dye decolorization using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.