Adsorption performance of organic dyes in single and binary systems onto poly(itaconic acid)/magnetite sepiolite composite prepared via the green synthetic methods

Since organic dyes are poorly biodegradable and completely soluble, they are difficult to be efficiently and rapidly removed. Therefore, a poly(itaconic acid)/magnetite sepiolite composite (PIA/MSEP) is prepared via a simple and environmentally friendly approach. The resulting adsorbent is employed for adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV). Factors influencing dyes adsorption efficiency are systemically researched, such as pH, contact time, temperature, and initial concentration of dye. Under optimal experimental conditions, the adsorption behaviour is satisfactorily modelled by the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity reaches 196.08 and 175.44 mg · g −1 for MB and MV, respectively. Adsorption is a fast process, well represented by pseudo-second-order rate expression, and being the equilibrium reached as short as 30 minutes for both MB and MV. The thermodynamic parameters suggest a favourable, spontaneous, and endothermic process. Fast, kinetic, and convenient magnetic separation, and a high adsorption capacity, make PIA/MSEP composite an impressive adsorbent for adsorption of organic dyes.