A Mixed-Ligand Complex of Nickel Trimesinate with 1,10-Phenanthroline as an Adsorbent for Organic Dyes and a Precursor of Nanostructured Materials

The nickel trimesinate complex with 1,10-phenanthroline has been synthesized by a solvothermal method and used for removing organic dyes, such as Congo red and methylene blue, from their aqueous solutions. The degree of adsorption depends on temperature and reaches 97% for Congo red, while for methylene blue it is about 83%. The mechanisms and characteristic parameters of the adsorption process are analyzed using empirical models of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, of which the most optimal adsorption process is described by the Freundlich model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters point to the spontaneity of the process. The basic stages of thermolysis leading to preparation of the Ni@C–N composite with nickel nanoparticles distributed in the stabilizing nitrogen-doped carbon matrix have been estimated for the synthesized complex.