Facile Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Porous Magnesium Oxide for Parachlorophenol Adsorption From the Water

Porous MgO with variable morphologies were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal route using urea as precipitating agent and polyethylene glycol (PEG400) as structure-directing agent. The morphology and microstructure of the MgO samples obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms analysis. The porous MgO exhibited strong affinity towards parachlorophenol with maximum adsorption capacity of 141.8 mg/g. Adsorption experiment data can be described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the adsorption process was non-spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The as-prepared MgO is found to be effective adsorbent for the removal of parachlorophenol from water.