An effective magnetic nanobiocomposite: Preparation, characterization and its application for adsorption removal of P-nitroaniline from aquatic environments

In this investigation, a magnetic nanobiocomposite, denoted as CoFe2O4/Activated Carbon integrated with Chitosan (CoFe2O4/AC@Ch), was synthesized based on a microwave-assisted for the efficacious adsorption of P-nitroaniline (PNA). The physicochemical properties of the said nano biocomposite were thoroughly characterized using a suite of analytical methodologies, namely FESEM/EDS, BET, FTIR, XRD, and VSM. The results confirm the successful synthesis of the nanobiocomposite, with its point of zero charge (pHZPC) determined to be 6.4. Adsorptive performance towards PNA was systematically examined over a spectrum of conditions, encompassing variations in PNA concentration (spanning 10–40 mg/L), adsorbent concentration (10–200 mg/L), contact periods (2.5–22.5 min), and solution pH (3–11). Upon optimization, the conditions converged to an adsorbent concentration of 200 mg/L, pH 5, PNA concentration of 10 mg/L, and a contact duration of 22.5 min, under which an impressive PNA adsorption efficacy of 98.6% was attained. Kinetic and isotherm analyses insinuated the adsorption mechanism to adhere predominantly to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The magnetic nanocomposite was recovered and used in 4 cycles, and the absorption rate reached 86%, which shows the good stability of the magnetic nanocomposite in wastewater treatment. Conclusively, these empirical outcomes underscore the viability of the formulated magnetic nanobiocomposite as a potent, recyclable adsorbent for the proficient extraction of PNA from aqueous matrices. •CoFe2O4/AC@Ch nanobiocomposite was synthesized to optimize P-nitroaniline adsorption.•Methods like FESEM/EDS, BET, FTIR, XRD, and VSM confirmed successful synthesis.•The point of zero charge for the nanobiocomposite was identified to be 6.4.•200 mg/L adsorbent, pH 5, 10 mg/L PNA, and 35-min contact yielded 98.6% efficacy.•Adsorption aligned with pseudo-second order kinetics & Langmuir isotherm.