Fabrication of green and powerful magnetic nanocomposite for the removal of oil from seawater: Optimization using Response Surface Methodology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70917/jcc-2026-029Keywords:
Alfalfa straw, Anchoring process, Biomass, Fe3O4 MNPs, RSMAbstract
Traditional techniques for adding modifiers to solid support materials are time-consuming and require significant energy and materials. This study focuses on modifying agricultural waste using a quick, simple, and easy solid-phase extraction approach. This work reports the design, fabrication, and laboratory evaluation of Alfalfa straw biomass (Alf. S) decorated with magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) for oil-water separation. This novel magnetic nanocomposite adsorbent was synthesized via in situ coprecipitation. FTIR, XRD, and SEM characterized the newly developed nanocomposite (Fe3O4 MNPs@Alf. S biomass). In this study, the Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) was used to determine the optimal values of three independent variables affecting oil removal efficiency from seawater: the amount of Fe3O4 MNPs@Alf. S biomass, the amount of oil in grams, and adsorption time (min). The maximum adsorption capacity was 1300 mg/g with 300.0 mg of adsorbent, 10.0 mL of used motor oil, and an adsorption time of 1 min. The data also confirm successful fabrication and oil adsorption, as the high R2 value and close proximity to R2(adj) indicate that the BBD model was significant.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Asmaa M. Abdel Rahim, Batool Alawi Mohammed Al-Alwiat (Author)
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