Response surface methodology approach for optimization of methyl orange adsorptive removal by Magnetic chitosan nanocomposite

In this work, the adsorption process of methyl orange (MO) removal by a magnetic chitosan with an Al₂O₃/Fe₃O₄ core was optimized using the experimental design method in order to maximize the re-moval efficiency. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was performed to find the relationship between the effective adsorption parameters on the MO removal effi-ciency as the response. The statistical parameters of the derived model were acquired: R² = 0.9799 and F value = 47.07. Finally, non-linear optimization was carried out and values of 6.5, 0.70 g l^-1, 30 ppm, and 60 min were obtained as the optimum values for pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and contact time, respectively, while the predicted MO removal efficiency was found to be 96.8 ± 2.2% (with a 95% confidence level). This was in agreement with the experimental response of 96.5 ± 1.4%.