Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic Fe3O4/Zeolite NaA Nanocomposite for the Adsorption Removal of Methylene Blue Potential in Wastewater Treatment

In this research, the magnetic Fe3O4/zeolite NaA nanocomposite (Fe3O4/ZA), Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and zeolite NaA have been synthesized by facile hydrothermal methods for adsorption removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution. The as-synthesized Fe3O4/ZA nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), MicroRaman analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), N-2 adsorption isotherms (BET), and UV-VIS analysis. The results show that with a small weight loading of Fe3O4, the similar to 3.3% Fe3O4/ZA sample exhibits a high adsorption capacity (similar to 40.36 mg center dot g(-1)) and removal efficiency (similar to 96.8%) compared to that of the zeolite NaA (similar to 32.99 mg center dot g(-1) and 79.11%, respectively). Interestingly, the removal efficiency and the adsorption capacity increase rapidly with the increase of adsorption time (10-60 minutes) and Fe3O4 loading (similar to 3.3-9.3% wt.) in the Fe3O4/ZA composition. The adsorption mechanism of MB molecules of the Fe3O4/ZA can be addressed at the combination of the interaction between active sites on the surfaces and edges of the invert spinel ferrite Fe3O4 nanoparticles and zeolite NaA with MB molecules. Our approach provides a simple, efficient, and scalable synthesis process that render practical applications of the magnetic Fe3O4/ZA nanocomposite as a lower-cost adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

The magnetic Fe3O4/zeolite NaA nanocomposite showed high adsorption capacity and removal efficiency, which increased rapidly with increased adsorption time and Fe3O4 loading. The adsorption mechanism is attributed to the interaction between Fe3O4 nanoparticles and zeolite NaA with the methylene blue molecules.