Removal of reactive black 5 dye from aqueous solutions by Fe3O4@SiO2-APTES nanoparticles

In this study, Fe3O4@SiO2-APTES nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a one-pot route in order to remove reactive black 5 dye from aqueous solutions. To obtain optimal conditions on the dye removal efficiency, the effects of various parameters were investigated including solution pH, initial dye concentration, and absorbent dosage. According to the experimental results, the removal efficiency of the dye decreased with increasing in pH and initial dye concentration, as well as with decreased adsorbent dosage. In fact, about 100.00 % of reactive black 5 was removed from aqueous solution using Fe3O4@SiO2-APTES NPs at the adsorbent amount of 0.4 g L-1 and pH = 3 in 90 min. The kinetics were found well match with pseudo-second-order equation. The isotherm analysis indicated that the equilibrium data were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, showing a monolayer adsorption manner of the dyes on homogeneous surface of nanoparticles. Also, the results of absorbent recycling showed that this nanoparticle could be reused up to 6 times with high efficiency.