Eco-friendly magnetic cellulose nanofiber nanocomposite for removal of methylene blue dye from contaminated water

To solve the urgent requirement of green water treatment technology, a cellulose nanofiber/magnetite (CNF/Fe₃O₄) hybrid material was prepared for specific adsorption of methylene blue (MB), a refractory synthetic dye contaminant. The composite's structural stability and adsorptive performance were assessed by an analytical method: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (TEM-EDS), zeta potential measurement, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FTIR spectra ensured covalent Fe–O–C bonding at the CNF/Fe₃O₄ interface, and TEM images depicted monodisperse spherical Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with 75 nm supported in the cellulose matrix. The pH-responsive adsorption tests (3, 7.5, 11) revealed the stunning correlation between alkaline conditions (pH 11) and the highest MB sequestration (90.3%), supported by improved electrostatic attraction and surface charge modulation. This study presents the CNF/Fe₃O₄ hybrid material as a promising and efficient adsorbent for methylene blue removal, demonstrating its significant potential for sustainable wastewater treatment applications. KEY WORDS: Cellulose, Fe₃O₄, Adsorption, MB Dye Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(10), 2011-2025. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i10.16