Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution by a Novel PAA@Fe-Si Composite Material

Abstract

A novel organic-inorganic PAA@Fe-Si composite material was synthesized by acrylic acid and mesoporous iron-incorporated material and used as an efficient and specific adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye from aqueous solution. The properties of the composite material were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric. The effects of initial solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time on MB adsorption and temperature have been investigated. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of PAA@Fe-Si reached 587mg/g at 298 K, which was much better than pure Fe-Si adsorbent.