Abstract
Nanostructured Magnesium oxide (MgO) was prepared by a simple method using a non-ionic block copolymer as surfactant. Ni was introduced to MgO to improve surface properties. The effect of Ni loading on the MgO crystalline structure, surface morphology and magnetic properties was observed by powder X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and a vibrating sample magnetometer, respectively. Textural properties of produced samples were investigated by nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method. The as-prepared samples were employed as an adsorbent for the removal of Methyl blue (MeB) dye. The adsorption isotherms were studied using the Langmuir model. The results show a high adsorptive behavior for relatively high concentrated MeB with a maximum adsorption capacity of 367mgg–1 indicating the enhanced adsorption performance of our produced structures. A mechanism for adsorption of MeB molecules on the prepared MgO is proposed.
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•Plate-like MgO and Ni -MgO nanostructures prepared by simple precipitation method.•Characterizations of the as-prepared samples revealed that Ni content improved surface structure and properties.•Enhanced adsorption capacity of Methyl blue dye was achieved after short time at lower dose.•A mechanism for the adsorption of Methyl blue on prepared MgO nanostructures is proposed.