Title: Removal of MC-RR by nano-zinc ferrite: investigation of adsorption behaviour, isotherms, kinetics, and mechanism

Authors: Panpan Yan; Jinlong Wu; Zhongmin Lang

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Ordos Institute of Technology, Ordos 017000, Inner Mongolia, China ' China Coal Ordos Energy and Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Ordos 017000, Inner Mongolia, China ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Ordos Institute of Technology, Ordos 017000, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract: Given the high toxicity of microcystin-RR (MC-RR) and its persistence in drinking water systems, this study aims to provide a viable and efficient solution for its removal using zinc ferrite nanoparticles. Various experimental parameters influencing adsorption efficiency were examined, including initial MC-RR concentration, pH, adsorption time, and temperature. The surface charge properties of nano-ZnFe₂O₄ and MC-RR were investigated, and the electrostatic interactions during the adsorption process were analysed through the examination of various ion types and a comparison of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra before and after adsorption. The adsorption performance of nano-ZnFe₂O₄ revealed that the adsorption kinetics and isotherms could be effectively described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model, respectively. The empirical findings demonstrated that nano-ZnFe₂O₄ functioned as an effective adsorbent and achieved a maximum removal capacity of 1.28 mg/L for MC-RR at 273 K. The negative values of free energy (ΔG) and enthalpy change (ΔH) also confirmed that the process is both spontaneous and exothermic, which is favourable for adsorption.

Keywords: zinc ferrite; adsorption; microcystin-RR.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2026.151505

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2026 Vol.70 No.3, pp.311 - 330

Received: 04 Feb 2025
Accepted: 28 Jul 2025
Published online: 03 Feb 2026 *

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