Preparation and Characterization of MgO/Fe3O4 Activated Carbon with Statistically Optimization for Oil Uptake from Emulsion

This novel study objective is to utilize Taguchi experimental design to investigate the optimal preparation parameters of the MgO/Fe3O4/ functionalized activated carbon (MgO/Fe3O4/AC) by modified coprecipitation method aided by ultrasonication. The parameters and their levels were coprecipitation pH (8-10), ultrasonic power (195-455) Watt, and precursors loading wt.% of metals salts (33.4-66) %. The prepared carbon supported with magnetic metals oxides was used as a direct and new step to remove oil from oil/water emulsion, dominating Basra's oil and gas industry pollutants. The study examines the effects of various factors, surface morphology changes, and modifications on the performance of batch adsorption of diesel drops from synthetically oil/water emulsion. The significant parameters for experimental design response were recognized from the regression analysis. The optimal preparation conditions for (MgO/Fe3O4/AC) for adsorption of diesel drops from oil/water emulsion were achieved using a pH of 10, 325watt ultrasonic power, and 50% precursor loading. The outcomes gave evidence of the capacity of the MgO/Fe3O4/AC to remove diesel drops, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent has been influenced by coprecipitation preparation parameters. The results showed that 54.8 mg/g of diesel adsorption capacity was achieved at statistically optimized parameters. Characterization methods included FESEM, EDS, and FTIR. The resulting (MgO/Fe3O4/AC) had a BET surface area of 345 m2/g. The experimentally measured correlation coefficient of 0.999 was found to agree with the expected values from the model strongly.