Efficient adsorption of Rhodamine B using a composite of Fe3O4@zif-8: Synthesis, characterization, modeling analysis, statistical physics and mechanism of interaction

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The utilization of a metal organic framework (ZIF-8) modified by Fe3O4 nanoparticles was used to accomplish adsorption of Rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solutions. SEM, XRD, IR, and BET analyses were all used to characterize the composite (Fe3O4@ZIF-8). The surface area of this adsorbent was 478.4 m2/g. X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy was used to detect surface modification utilizing electron microscopy (SEM) scanning with 48 nm in diameter average particle size according to a statistical physics method. Fe3O4@ZIF-8 appears to have dispersive interactions and pore characteristics, according to quantum chemistry simulations. On the adsorption of RB, the influences of contact time, adsorbent quantity, dye concentration, and temperature were studied. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were used to study the adsorption isotherms. Anticipated overall adsorption potential was 647.5 mg/g, with a zero-charge point (pHPZC) of 4.3. The adsorption isotherm was fitted using Langmuir whereas pseudo second order was used to match the kinetics. Energy of adsorption (Ea) is 28.7 kJ/mol, indicating a chemisorption phase. The adsorption process is endothermic and unpredictable, according to thermodynamic experiments. It was also looked into using ethanol as a solvent in the desorption of deposited cationic dye. KEY WORDS: Fe3O4@ZIF-8, Rhodamine B, Adsorption models, Thermodynamics Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(1), 211-229. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i1.17