ABSTRACT

This study provides optimal process condition for the treatment of ionic dye us a nanocomposite. Chitosan composite nanoparticles were extracted from snail shells and blended with nano clay at a ratio of 2:1 chitosan to clay. Methylene blue removal was conducted in a glass tube fixed bed column of 50cm, 2.1cm height and diameter respectively. The experiment was optimized using response surface methodology with central composite design. Methylene dye solution containing initial dye concentration of 200mg was flown into the column at a flowrate of 4–8mLmin−1 onto the bed at various bed heights of 2 to 6cm and time of 2 to 6hours.

The surface area analysis of the adsorbents varied across the studies. The first study utilized a multi-point BET modification to increase the surface area of the adsorbent to 221.266 m²/g, enhancing adsorption. In the DA method the adsorbents showed a decrease in pore size from 5.867nm to 4.52nm, impacting the adsorption of clay/chitosan. And on the surface area of the adsorbent the Langmuir surface area - , Finally, The DR micropore volume of 9.531e-02 cc/g suggests that the adsorbent possesses a significant microporous structure capable of adsorbing a considerable amount of adsorbate molecules. The Model was found to have a coefficient of determination () value of 0.9816 and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.74, the model F-value of 74.69 implies the model was significant.

The optimized sorption of methylene blue (MB) dye using Clay/Chitosan nano composite was successfully achieved in this study.It showed a high removal efficiency of MB dye under optimized conditions using statistical experimental design. By combining the information obtained from FTIR, SEM, and EDX, a comprehensive understanding of the chemical and structural characteristics of nanocomposites, enabling the development of advanced materials with tailored properties for specific applications.