Fe_3O_4 immobilized magnetic nano carbon balls for the adsorption of methylene blue dye in batch and packed bed column mode

摘要

Nano sized carbon balls (NCB) with a uniform and average size 100 nm are synthesized from Madhucalongifolia oil as a precursor oil using an indigenous reactor assembly through air controlled, low temperature direct pyrolysis with the help of multi-metal catalyst derived from Alternanthera sessilis stem ash. The multi-metals present in the stem acts as a green catalyst for the formation of NCB. The synthesized carbon balls have a bulk density of 0.124 g/mL and BET surface area of 805.87 m(2)/g. In-order to ensure the effective removal of NCB, it is immobilized with a magnetic nano particle Fe3O4 and used for the adsorption studies of methylene blue dye (MB) from aqueous solution under batch and column mode. The batch mode studies indicated that the Fe3O4@NCB composite is capable of removing 89.74 mg/g of MB. Batch mode studies also proved the endothermic nature and physisorption mechanisms. The maximum Langmuir mono layer capacity of 277.78 mg/g has been achieved at a temperature of 45 degrees C. A packed bed column study also ascertains the capability of the composite towards the MB removal with a maximum uptake of 118.78 mg/g at an influent concentration of 75 mg/L.