Ionic liquid pretreatment as an emerging approach for synthesis of a magnetic adsorbent derived from Broussonetia papyrifera leaves for dye removal

ABSTRACT

Broussonetia papyrifera leaves were successfully converted into new magnetic adsorbents, including pretreatment using ionic liquid and magnetization via a coprecipitation technology. The resultant magnetic adsorbent was characterized with infrared spectroscopy (IR), transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Then, it was selected to adsorb methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The adsorption behaviors could be described well by pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The thermodynamic analysis for adsorption displayed that the process was exothermic and feasible spontaneous. Moreover, it exhibited a well reusability in the regeneration test. This adsorbent might be an alternative candidate with the advantageous properties of simplicity, repeatability, and convenient separation for pollutant removal.

KEYWORDS:

• Ionic liquid pretreatment
• magnetic adsorbent
• Broussonetia papyrifera
• adsorption
• dye

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Talent Introduction Special Foundation of Anhui Science and Technology University (SKYJ201601). The authors also thank the Research Projects of Anhui Science and Technology University for Key Discipline for financial support of this work (AKZDXK2015B02).