Preparation of Chitosan/Iron Oxide Nanocomposite: Morphology and Study of Adsorption Characteristics for Removal of Azo-Dye from Contaminated Waters

Due to the wide use of Azo-dyes in various industries, they are among the most important organic pollutants in water. Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, the toxicity of its byproducts and production of unfavorable color in water are important and unpleasant properties of Azo-dyes. The aim of this study is to fabricate chitosan/iron oxide nanocomposite and assess its ability for removal of Eriochrome black-T as an Azo-dye from contaminated waters. The chitosan/iron oxide nanocomposite was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunner, Emmett, and Teller analysis and X-ray diffraction. The TEMPeffectiveness of the adsorbent for removal of the dye from prepared aqueous solutions was assessed in the laboratory. TEMPEffect of Eriochrome black T concentrations, amounts of the adsorbent, pH solution and contact time on decolorization were evaluated with “one at a time” method which in optimal conditions the maximum dye removal was higher TEMPthan 95%. The experimental isotherms data were analyzed using Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich isotherm equations. Adsorption kinetics data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The best fit was obtained by the Langmuir model with high correlation coefficients (R2=0.95) with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity about 200 mg/g. The results show that the adsorbent can efficiently remove 60 percent of Azo-dye form samples simulated with real matrix so the synthesized Nanocomposite efficiently removed the dye.