Removal of methylene blue and Cd(II) by magnetic activated carbon-cobalt nanoparticles and its application to wastewater purification

Researchers have a special focus on the magnetic nanocomposite materials because of their specific features and flexible uses. In this study, synthesizing a new magnetic activated carbon magnetized with cobalt nanoparticles, named as the MAC/Co, has been reported. Energy-dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods have been applied for describing the respective chemical composition, functional groups, surface and morphological features. Evaluation and optimization of the effect of some variables, including pH, contact time, initial concentrations, temperature, ionic strengths and recycling, have been done. Recycling the MAC/Co might be performed using the respective magnetic features. The adsorption isotherms for methylene blue dye and Cd(II) ion had more acceptable fitness with Langmuir than Freundlich and Temkin models. Maximum adsorption capacity for methylene blue and Cd(II) ion was 192.3 and 123.5 mg g(-1), respectively. The feasibility of the MAC/Co for removal of Cd(II) ion and methylene blue dye from wastewater samples was also evaluated.