Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Silica Aerogel-Eggshell Nanocomposite for the Dye Removal from Colored Wastewater

In the current study, silica aerogel-eggshell was synthesized and characterized as nano-adsorbent for dye removal from colored wastewater. The nanocomposite structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscope. The ability of adsorption silica aerogels-egg shell nanocomposite for removal of basic violet 16 dye from aqueous solutions was studied using batch adsorption system and compared with two other adsorbents such as egg shell and silica aerogels. The results showed that adsorption power of basic violet 16 dye increased by silica aerogels-egg shell nanocomposite. The adsorbents were evaluated for removal of dye under different pH values, temperatures, adsorbent dosages and contact times. The optimum pH for dye removal by nanocomposite was 8, while the optimum pH for the two other adsorbents of basic violet 16 was about 12. The optimum temperature and adsorbent dosage for dye removal was 35°C and 5g/L, respectively. Eventually, the equilibrium was achieved for the dye removal after 90 min of contact time. In order to better understand the adsorption process, the experimental data were analyzed with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and it was discerned that synthesized adsorbents were well fitted by Freundlich equation. Prog. Color Colorants Coat.