Removal of Rhodamine B, a Cationic Dye From Aqueous Solution Using Poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol) Nanotubes

Poly(cyclotriphosphazene-co-4,4 '-sulfonyldiphenol) (PZS) nanotubes were evaluated as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Rhodamine B (RhB), a cationic dye from aqueous solution. The as-synthesized adsorbent (PZS nanotubes) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms. The factors influencing the adsorption efficiency and capacity had been systematically studied. Results showed that the adsorption was highly dependent on temperature, initial RhB concentration and adsorbent dose. Effects of initial solution pH indicate that the adsorption can proceed in both basic and acidic environment. The equilibrium absorption capacity at 25 degrees C can reach up to 35.58mg/g within 60min implying the adsorption procedure was highly rapid. The kinetic data was better described by the pseudo-second-order model with the correlation coefficient (R-2 = 0.9981), and the adsorption process followed Weber's intraparticle model, indicating the adsorption process could be divided into two stages. Results also showed that the adsorption equilibrium obeyed the Langmuir isotherm, and the value of equilibrium parameter R-L suggested that the PZS nanotubes were an efficient adsorbent for the removal of RhB from aqueous solution.