LAUSR

Abstract Magnetic montmorillonite nanocomposites of Fe3O4/Mt were synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The syntheses were conducted by dispersing iron oxide precursors (FeSO4 and FeCl3) in montmorillonite in the Fe content range of 10–50 wt%. The properties of the nanocomposites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, gas sorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and vibration sample magnetometer measurements. The kinetics and isotherms for Cu(II) adsorption by the nanocomposites were evaluated. The results showed that the iron oxide in the nanocomposite was in the form of Fe3O4, with a particle size of 10–60 nm, where the particle size is smaller than that produced by the co-precipitation method. The nanocomposites displayed good Cu(II) adsorption capacity and easy separation owing to the magnetic properties. The kinetics of Cu(II) adsorption followed a pseudo–second–order kinetic model and fit to the Langmuir model, with a maximum uptake of 154.45 mg g−1 over the nanocomposite containing 30 wt%. Fe. The kinetics, FTIR study and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation revealed that the adsorption mechanism was influenced by the specific surface area, magnetism, and reduction-oxidation mechanism on the surface of the nanocomposite. Furthermore, the nanocomposites demonstrated chemical stability, given that the adsorption capacity was maintained after five cycles.