Polyaniline-Functionalized Magnetic Activated Carbon Efficiently Removes Methyl Orange From Water

Polyaniline-functionalized magnetic activated carbon, designated as PANI-mBAC, has been prepared through chemical oxidative polymerization to remove methyl orange dye from water. Developed in response to dye contamination that poses serious threats to the environment and human health, the composite adsorbent demonstrated excellent dye removal performance under tested laboratory conditions.

The material achieved its optimal adsorption performance under experimental conditions consisting of 10 milligrams of adsorbent, a solution pH of 7.0, a contact time of 40 minutes, an initial dye concentration of 250 milligrams per liter, and an operating temperature of 308 Kelvin. The Langmuir isotherm model indicated a maximum adsorption capacity of 271 milligrams per gram.

Evaluation of the adsorption behavior revealed that the process conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetics with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.996. Equilibrium data aligned with the Langmuir isotherm model with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.997, indicating monolayer chemisorption occurring across a homogeneous surface. Additionally, thermodynamic analysis established that the methyl orange adsorption is a spontaneous and endothermic process.

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy conducted before and after the treatment revealed obvious interactions between PANI-mBAC and methyl orange, confirming the occurrence of adsorption. In reusability assessments, the composite retained more than 80 percent of its initial adsorption capacity after five operational cycles. With its facile preparation, magnetic recoverability, and good reusability, PANI-mBAC represents a promising adsorbent for dye wastewater treatment.

Subject of Research: Polyaniline-functionalized magnetic activated carbon for methyl orange dye removal

Article Title: Efficient removal of methyl orange by polyaniline-functionalized magnetic activated carbon: adsorption performance and mechanism

Article References: Wu, Q., Yang, J., Dang, X., & Ren, Z. (2027). Efficient removal of methyl orange by polyaniline-functionalized magnetic activated carbon: adsorption performance and mechanism. Polymer Bulletin, 84(1), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-026-06759-x

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DOI: 10.1007/s00289-026-06759-x

Keywords: methyl orange, adsorption, magnetic activated carbon, polyaniline, chemisorption, water treatment, Langmuir isotherm, dye removal, Efficient, removal, methyl, orange