UPM Institutional Repository

Duckweed-derived magnetic adsorbent for efficient removal of methylene blue


Citation

Seng, Kelly Wong Kai and Zheng, Alvin Lim Teik and Jeffrey, Karen Bulan and Hii, Tan Toh and Chung, Eric Lim Teik and Lease, Jacqueline and Andou, Yoshito (2026) Duckweed-derived magnetic adsorbent for efficient removal of methylene blue. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 16 (3). art. no. 111. pp. 1-22. ISSN 2190-6815; eISSN: 2190-6823

Abstract

Low-cost and easily recoverable adsorbents are urgently needed for efficient treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater. In this study, a green magnetic duckweed-derived adsorbent (MDW) was synthesized via co-precipitation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) onto dried duckweed using ascorbic acid (AA) as a reducing agent. The MDW exhibited a maximum methylene blue (MB) adsorption capacity of 78.59 mg/g under optimal conditions of pH 10, 50 mg/L initial MB concentration, 10 mg adsorbent dosage, and 60 min contact time, achieving a removal efficiency of 85.27%. Kinetic analysis showed that adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model (R² > 0.999), while equilibrium data were best described by the Temkin isotherm model, indicating heterogeneous surface interactions. Thermodynamic analysis revealed an exothermic and spontaneous process with negative ΔG° values across the temperature range of 298–318 K. The MDW retained over 69% of its initial removal efficiency after five regeneration cycles, confirming good reusability. Cost analysis estimated the synthesis cost at approximately RM 29.51/kg, highlighting economic feasibility. These findings demonstrate that MDW is a sustainable, low-cost, and magnetically recoverable adsorbent with strong potential for scalable wastewater treatment applications.


Download File

[img] Text
122937.pdf - Published Version

Download (3MB)

Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Divisions: Faculty of Agriculture
Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security
Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science
Institut Ekosains Borneo
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-025-06946-2
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Keywords: Adsorption kinetics; Low-cost adsorbent; Magnetic duckweed; Methylene blue; Temkin isotherm; Wastewater treatment
Depositing User: MS. HADIZAH NORDIN
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2026 07:54
Last Modified: 20 Feb 2026 07:54
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.1007/s13399-025-06946-2
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/122937
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item