Preparation of clinoptilolite/starch/CoFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposite powder and its elimination properties for cationic dyes from water and wastewater.

A new magnetic nanocomposite clinoptilolite (CLT)/Starch/CoFe2O4 was synthesized using co-precipitation method. The prepared magnetic composite powder was utilized for decontamination of methylene blue dye (MBD), methyl violet dye (MVD), and crystal violet dye (CVD) from water media. The BET analysis showed that CLT modification using starch and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles improved its specific surface and the amount of specific surface area for CLT, CoFe2O4, and CLT/Starch/CoFe2O4 powder was reported to be 18.82 m2.g-1, 151.4 m2.g-1, and 104.75 m2.g-1, respectively. Experimental results showed that pH 9 had a vital role in the adsorption process of all three types. Langmuir and Redlich-Petersen isotherm models were well fitted with experimental data. Also, the maximum adsorption capacity of CVD, MBD, and MVD to the desired composite was determined as 32.84 mg.g-1, 31.81 mg.g-1, and 31.15 mg.g-1, respectively. In addition, the kinetic data of the removal process followed a pseudo-first order (PFO) kinetic model. Negative thermodynamic parameters were indicated that the process is spontaneous and exothermic. Finally, ad(de)sorption experiments' results showed that the synthesized nanocomposite adsorbent has an excellent ability to adsorb cationic dyes after several consecutive cycles.