A comparative account on the elimination of methylene blue via iron-based nanoparticle: adsorption vs. degradation

Dyes are one of the most threatening toxins released from industry. Methylene blue (MB) is one of the extremely common dyes in the textile industry. Being complicated in structure and non-biodegradable in nature, removing MB from the aqueous environment is a great challenge. Elimination of dye is usually performed in two ways, degradation, and adsorption. Iron-based nanoparticles, being biocompatible and non-expensive, became a hot field of research in the context of the elimination of toxic dyes. In our review article, we consolidated the data about the synthesis, nature, state, and applications of iron-based nanoparticles to remove MB dye from aqueous solutions specifically via adsorption and degradation. We also reviewed the effect of doping on nanoparticles and their effects on dye removal capacity. Physiological factors such as pH, and temperature play an important role in iron-based nanoparticle synthesis as well as dye degradation and adsorption. A comparative account between adsorption and degradation was tried to depict the elimination of dye in various aspects including efficiency and mechanism.

Graphical Abstract