Exploring the sustainable synthesis pathway and comprehensive characterization of magnetic hybrid alumina nanoparticles phase (MHAl-NPsP) as highly efficient adsorbents and selective copper ions removal

Abstract

This study introduces a novel method for producing magnetic hybrid alumina nanoparticles phase (MHAl-NPsP) tailored specifically for efficient copper (II) ion removal from wastewater. The synthesized MHAl-NPsP underwent comprehensive characterization, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealing its rough and porous surface morphology, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, BET analysis for surface area measurements, TGA analysis confirming high thermal stability, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) analysis confirming successful synthesis through detection of magnetic properties, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Remarkably, MHAl-NPsP demonstrated an exceptional adsorption capacity of 52.5 mg/g under optimized conditions of pH 3.5 and an initial copper concentration of 30 mg/L, surpassing previous results significantly. Detailed investigation into adsorption kinetics revealed a pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a predominant chemisorption mechanism. Moreover, analysis using the Langmuir isotherm model showed excellent fitting with an R² value of 0.994, indicating monolayer coverage as the primary adsorption mode. Notably, pH dependency studies indicated enhanced adsorption efficiency with decreasing pH levels, highlighting the significant role of electrostatic interactions. This study underscores the effectiveness and environmental sustainability of the green synthesis approach employed for MHAl-NPsP. Utilizing their magnetic properties, MHAl-NPsP facilitate easy separation and retrieval of adsorbed copper ions, making them highly promising for practical applications in wastewater treatment. The findings advocate for the development of eco-friendly adsorbents to tackle water pollution challenges, providing promising solutions for sustainable environmental remediation.