Preparation and characterization of magnetic kaolinite nanocomposite as methylene blue adsorbent in aqueous solution / Izzan Salwana Izman

Wastewater treatment of untreated dye effluent from industries is challenging due to requirement of adsorbent that is cost-effective, highly efficient, robust, and feasible to operate. In this study, magnetic kaolinite nanocomposite (MKN) derived from Malaysia’s natural kaolinite clay mineral is proposed as an alternative adsorbent to treat dye contaminated water. Methylene blue (MB), a cationic azo dye, is used as the model of pollutant in this study. Three different clay:iron oxide mass ratio of magnetic kaolinite nanocomposite (denoted as MKN 1:1, MKN 2:1 and MKN 5:1) was successfully prepared in solution through the co-precipitation method. The pristine kaolinite (Kao), iron oxide (IO) and MKNs were characterized using techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and zeta potential measurement. Equilibrium adsorption study, kinetic and thermodynamic experiments were performed to understand the adsorption profile, mechanism, and spontaneity of reaction between MB and MKN.