CuYb_0.5Fe_1.5O₄ nanoferrite adsorbent structural, morphological and functionalization characteristics for multiple pollutant removal by response surface methodology

CuYb0.5Fe1.5O4 nanoferrite adsorbent was prepared and characterized with analytical techniques i.e. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Until now, little information is available on the competition mechanisms to explain the complex multiple pollutant adsorption by ytterbium doped nanoferrites. A central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the adsorption process variables, adsorbent mass (0.004-0.03 g), sonication time (2-6 min), initial metal ion concentration (4-30 mg L-1) and initial dye concentration (7-20 mg L-1). The CCD results were analyzed for the significant variables and interaction effect on the adsorption performance of CuYb0.5Fe1.5O4 nanoferrite adsorbent. The best response of the present adsorption system was achieved at optimum adsorbent dose (0.02 g), sonication time (4 min), methyl orange (MO) conc. (20 mg L-1), safranin O (SO) conc. (10 mg L-1), Cr3+ conc. (40 mg L-1) and Pb2+ conc. (35 mg L-1). The results indicate that the R-2 values were >0.987, while the adjusted R-2 values are in close agreement with R-2. The quadratic model optimal conditions for MO, SO, Pb2+ and Cr3+ ions yielded 99.44%, 95.65, 82.5 and 100% removal efficiency respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.