Removal of crocein orange G from water solutions by trimetallic nanoparticles [Co/Cu/M (M=Ni, Zn)] prepared by chemical reduction method

Co-Cu-Ni and Co-Cu-Zn trimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by chemical reduction method which were then used as adsorbent to remove Crocein Orange G dye from solution. The elemental composition of the fabricated NPs was determined by EDX analysis, surface morphology was assessed by SEM, and its crystalline nature was confirmed by XRD analysis. The functional groups on nanoparticles were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The optimum dosage was found to be 0.01 g. Langmuir model as well as linear pseudo 2nd order kinetics models best explained the obtained data. The maximum adsorption capabilities were found to be around 497.618 mg/g and 683.093 mg/g, respectively for Co-Cu-Ni and Co-Cu-Zn trimetallic NPs. The adsorption process was exothermic, as evidenced from the positive ΔH° values. The negative values of ΔG° at the corresponding temperatures support the spontaneous nature of the adsorption processes. The positive entropy changes (ΔS°) suggested that there is more disorderness at the interface between the solid and the solution during the adsorption. The fabricated trimetallic nanoparticles have effectively adsorbed Crocein Orange G, which may be considered as an attractive option in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation applications due to diversity of metal ions on surface offering differential attractive forces for pollutant.