Optimization of adsorption parameters for pesticides removal using bentonite-layered double hydroxide by response surface methodology

This work has proposed a preparation membranous shaped Cu-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) based nanocomposites using a co-precipitation technique with bentonite incorporation. The prepared bentonite-supported CuAl-LDH (B-CuAl) structures and morphology were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the regeneration capability and reuse of the prepared adsorbent have been investigated. The response surface methodology was applied to optimize the adsorption parameters and assess the interaction effects. The results revealed that the highest abamectin removal was 97.99%, at optimal conditions of pH = 8, 10 mg/L abamectin pesticide concentration, 10 g/L adsorbent dosage, 90 min contact time, 40 degrees C temperature, 250 mu m particle size, and 300 rpm shaking speed. A second-order polynomial model was fitted to predict the adsorption yield of abamectin pesticide on the sum of squares, P-value, and F-value of the model obtained from analysis of variance results, which confirms a successful correction with the obtained data (R-2 = 99.97%, R-adj.(2) = 99.64%, and R-pred.(2) = 96.51%). This work demonstrates the potentials of environmental applications of bentonite supported LDH as an efficient adsorbent's removal of pesticides contaminants from aqueous solutions.