Adsorption Optimization of Reactive Red 120 Dye from Aqueous Media using Chitosan-Coated Magnetically Nanoparticles

In this study, chitosan-coated magnetically nanoparticles were used to remove the Reactive Red 120 dye from aqueous solution. Chitosan is one of the most famous biological polymers that can be used as adsorbent in the removal of color pollutants. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized by mixing FeCl3.6H2O and FeCl2.4H2O were coated on low molecular weight chitosan polymer. Magnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan were then characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetomer (VSM) analysis. The effect of three parameters of pH, dye concentration, and the adsorbent dosage on adsorption was investigated. Under these conditions, the optimal adsorption was obtained ​​at pH = 4, initial dye concentrations = 150 mg/l, and the adsorbent dosage of 2 g/l. Adsorption data were adapted to Langmuir and Freundlich isothermic models. The results showed that the data obtained from the dye adsorption on the chitosan-coated magnetically nanoparticles fit better with Langmuir model.