Adsorption potential of ionic liquid-modified ZnO nanoparticles for highly efficient removal of azo dye: detailed isotherms and kinetics.

In this study, bare and ionic liquid-modified ZnO nanoparticles have been fabricated using microwave irradiation method. The fabricated nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques, viz. XRD, FT-IR, FESEM, and UV-Visible spectroscopy, and were explored as adsorbent for effective sequestration of azo dye (Brilliant Blue R-250) from aqueous media. Various factors affecting the adsorption efficiency of synthesized nanoparticles (bare/ionic liquid-modified) such as concentration of dye, pH of reaction media, dose of nanoparticles, and reaction time were thoroughly investigated with varying experimental conditions; on a magnetic stirrer and in a sonicator. The results exhibited a high adsorption efficiency of ionic liquid-modified nanoparticles for removal of dye as compared to the bare one. Also, an enhanced adsorption was observed via sonication in comparison with magnetic stirring. Different isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin were elaborated. Evaluation of adsorption kinetics showed a linear pseudo-second-order equation for adsorption process. The exothermic and spontaneous nature of adsorption was further confirmed by thermodynamic investigations. As per the results obtained, it is suggested that the fabricated ionic liquid-modified ZnO nanoparticles could successfully remediate the toxic anionic dye from aqueous media. Hence, this system can be utilized for large-scale industrial applications.