Preparation of magnetic composite adsorbents from laterite nickel ore for organic amine removal

Magnetic composite adsorbent (MCA) was prepared successfully using laterite nickel ore. The effectiveness of MCA as an adsorbent was evaluated for removal trimethylamine from aqueous environment. In this technological route, the utilization of solid wastes, wastewater treatment and adsorbent recovery were considered comprehensively. The MCA was characterized by techniques, including XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, VSM and adsorption-desorption of nitrogen at 77 K. The adsorption processes were best described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and controlled by intraparticle and surface diffusion processes. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to match the adsorption equilibrium data. Freundlich isotherm was the best fitting curve for the sorption equilibrium data. The adsorption mechanism was further interpreted by Gibbs free energy, entropy and enthalpy calculated by thermodynamic equation. The negative values of Gibbs free energy changes (ΔG) manifest that the adsorbing process is spontaneous. The results show that laterite nickel ore can be made into MCA for organic amine removal from polluted water.