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Abstract
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Novel magnetic starch nanocomposites (MNPs@NSt@St) were synthesized via a straightforward co-precipitation method to serve as high-efficiency adsorbents for the removal of copper (Cu(II)) ions from aqueous solutions. The nanocomposites were comprehensively characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, VSM, and EDX techniques, which confirmed their successful synthesis, structural properties, and strong magnetic saturation (65.2 emu.g−1). Optimization studies demonstrated a remarkably high maximum Cu(II) uptake capacity (qe) of 345.8 mg.g−1, with the process being significantly influenced by solution pH, initial concentration, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and contact time. Crucially, an integrated framework combining response surface methodology (RSS) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was employed to model and identify the optimal interactive conditions (pH: 5.8, temperature: 45 °C, initial concentration: 225.0 mg·L⁻1) for enhanced adsorption performance. Adsorption isotherm analysis revealed that the process best fit the Toth and Marczewski–Jaroniec models, indicating adsorption onto a heterogeneous surface. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG° < 0, ΔH° = 19.12 kJ.mol−1, ΔS° = 68.60 J.mol−1·K−1) confirmed that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy-driven. The findings, coupled with the adsorbent’s excellent magnetic separability and high efficiency, demonstrate the strong potential of MNPs@NSt@St for the remediation of Cu(II) ions in wastewater treatment applications.
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