Synthetic dyes and heavy metal ions are commonly found in industrial waste, which are classified as organic and inorganic pollutants. Therefore, to reduce the content of industrial pollutants, high-performance adsorbents are necessary. Two types of surfactant templating were used in the formation and arrangement of the silica mesostructured, SBA-15 Y sample (Pluronic template) and SBA-15 Z (Pluronic–PVA dual template). The dual-template approach provides more precise control of the pore structure, thereby enhancing the integration of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Wet impregnation method to synthesize nanocomposite SBA-15/Fe₃O₄ based on silica SBA-15 as a supporting cell material and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Nitrogen physisorption studies, FTIR spectra, XRD, SEM-EDX, and element mapping confirmed the final stage of Fe₃O₄ deposition within the SBA-15 framework to characterize the meso-structured SBA-15/ Fe₃O₄. Through qualitative methodologies, SBA-15/Fe₃O₄ shows a strong magnetic response to neodymium magnets. Nitrogen physisorption demonstrates that SBA-15 Y and SBA-15 Z possess outstanding mesoporous structures, featuring BET surface areas reaching 1191 m²/g and pore volumes of 1.7 cm³ /g. Enhancing the silica composition to 60–90 % can improve the textural properties of SBA-15 Y, while the SBA-15 Z series samples demonstrate stability in high surface area and pore volume. The SBA-15/Fe₃O₄ effectively adsorbs rhodamine, methylene blue, and Pb(II) (80–98 %) due to its ordered meso-structure, strong Si–O–Si band intensity, and large surface area. Based on the new insights, a suitable foundation can be established for the advancement of mesoporous adsorbents intended for wastewater treatment. • The (Pluronik-PVA) surfactant template-engineered SBA-15/Fe₃O₄ exhibits favorable adsorption and magnetic recovery. • SBA-15 Z demonstrates significant MB and RhB adsorption, as evidenced by a Langmuir separation factor (Rₗ = 0.013). • The Freundlich model provides a more effective basis for Pb(II) adsorption on 60-SBA-Z, implying a heterogeneous surface. • The mesoporous structure and high surface area of SBA-15 enhance its adsorption capacity and affinity.
Thahir et al. (Tue,) studied this question.