Response surface methodology approach for optimization of methyl orange adsorptive removal by magnetic chitosan nanocomposite

Abstract

In this work, the adsorption process of methyl orange (MO) removal by a magnetic chitosan with an Al2O3/Fe3O4 core was optimized using the experimental design method in order to maximize the removal efficiency. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was performed to find the relationship between the effective adsorption parameters on the MO removal efficiency as the response. The statistical parameters of the derived model were acquired: R2 = 0.9799 and F value = 47.07. Finally, non-linear optimization was carried out and values of 6.5, 0.70 g l–1, 30 ppm, and 60 min were obtained as the optimum values for pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and contact time, respectively, while the predicted MO removal efficiency was found to be 96.8 ± 2.2% (with a 95% confidence level). This was in agreement with the experimental response of 96.5 ± 1.4%.