Removal of congo red dye from aqueous solutions using znfe2o4/sio2/Tragacanth gum magnetic nanocomposite as a novel adsorbent

In the present study, the zinc ferrite nanoparticle was synthesized, and the silica layer was fixed on this nanoparticle. Then, the nanocomposite surface of the natural biocompatible polymer of tragacanth gum (TG) was modified and nanocomposite was identified by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and vibrational sample magnetometer (VSM). The synthesized nanocomposite was used for congo red (CR) removal from aqueous solutions. The effect of different parameters such as pH, contact time, initial dye concentrations, adsorbent dosage and solvent temperature for adsorption process has been studied. The results showed that in the optimum conditions pH = 5, contact time = 60 min, initial dye concentration = 60 mg/L, and adsorbent dose = 0.2 g/L, was maximum adsorption capacity was 159.90 mg/g. Furthermore, according to the results, it was determined that the adsorption of CR follows the Langmuir isotherm and the second-order kinetics. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption process of Znfe(2)o(4)/SiO2/Tragacanth gum nanocomposite was a spontaneous and endothermic process.