Microwave-Assisted Fabrication of α-AL₂O₃@ZIF-8 Composite for Effective Removal of Methylene Blue: Kinetic and Isothermal Studies

Background: Synthetic dye removal from wastewater poses significant environmental challenges. Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs), like ZIF-8, offer potential solutions due to their high adsorption capacities. This study has investigated the efficacy of a novel composite material, α-Al2O3@ZIF-8, for Methylene Blue (MB) removal. Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of α-Al2O3@ZIF-8 for MB removal. The synthesis via microwave-assisted methods, physicochemical characterization, adsorption efficiency evaluation, and isothermal/kinetic modeling, has been conducted. Methods: The α-Al2O3@ZIF-8 composite was synthesized and characterized using SEM, TEM, FTIR, and BET techniques. The adsorption efficiency for MB was tested, and isothermal/kinetic models were applied for mechanistic understanding. Results: The composite exhibited robust crystal connections and uniform distribution, with particle sizes ranging from 0.5 to 0.6 μm. MB adsorption efficiency exceeded 97.8% under optimal conditions. Isothermal and kinetic modeling revealed favorable adsorption behavior, notably with the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models. Conclusion: Microwave-synthesized α-Al2O3@ZIF-8 shows promise for efficient MB removal, with treatment efficiencies surpassing 97%. This underscores the potential of MOFs in wastewater treatment and emphasizes the importance of understanding adsorption mechanisms for optimization.