A Green and Low-Cost Nanocomposite Using Corn Cob Fiber and ZnFe₂O₄ for Pesticide Adsorption from Water

Gholipour, Nazila; Valian, Moein; Baghersad, Mohammad Hadi

doi:10.30491/jabr.2024.487251.1805

A Green and Low-Cost Nanocomposite Using Corn Cob Fiber and ZnFe₂O₄ for Pesticide Adsorption from Water

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nazila Gholipour ¹

Moein Valian ¹

Mohammad Hadi Baghersad ²

¹ Faculty of Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.30491/jabr.2024.487251.1805

Abstract

Introduction: This study synthesized a nanocomposite using corn cob fiber and ZnFe₂O₄, characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and surface porosity analysis. The research focused on evaluating the adsorption capacity and kinetics of this nanocomposite for removing malathion and bendiocarb, representing organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, respectively.
Materials and Methods: The nanocomposite was prepared and characterized using various techniques. Adsorption experiments assessed the removal efficiency of the pesticides under different conditions, including contact time, initial pollutant concentration, pH, and nanocomposite dosage. Kinetic studies utilized pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) models.
Results: Rapid adsorption occurred within the first 20 minutes, with removal efficiencies of 45.4% for malathion and 40.5% for bendiocarb. Final efficiencies reached 49.3% for malathion and 47.7% for bendiocarb at 85 minutes. Optimal contact times were around 30 minutes for malathion and 40 minutes for bendiocarb. The PSO model provided a better fit, with higher equilibrium adsorption capacities (116.3 mg/g for malathion and 129.9 mg/g for bendiocarb). pH had a positive but minor effect on removal efficiency, and a dosage-dependent increase was observed, with a saturation point beyond 10 mg of nanocomposite.
Conclusions: The corn cob fiber and ZnFe₂O₄ nanocomposite effectively removed malathion and bendiocarb from aqueous solutions. Key factors influencing adsorption included contact time, pH, and nanocomposite dosage, highlighting the nanocomposite's potential for pesticide removal applications.

Keywords

Pesticides

Organophosphates

Carbamates

Nanocomposites, Adsorption